Salt and Light
We hear our Lord’s continuation of the Sermon on the Mount in this Sunday’s Gospel. Moving on from the Beatitudes, Jesus tells the crowd that they are both salt and light. We may find these images odd in terms of modern day sensitivities, salt is plentiful, too plentiful many would argue, and light is usually just the flip of a switch away. In ancient times salt was important because it was used for preserving foods as well as flavoring them. Light was precious because it was only by the light of day that most work was able to be done. There were oil lamps then but, for those who could afford several of them, the quality of light was still not very good.
Jesus asks what good is salt if it loses its flavor? This question implies that salt can be corrupted by being mixed with other things around it. And concerning light, what good is light if its covered up, as with a bushel basket in the Gospel? Light is meant to shine brightly. Both salt and light are metaphors for us. God did not make us for corruption or hiding. As his people, we are called to remain unsullied, pure in grace, and as far as the light that he has put into each of us, we are called to let it shine brightly for all the world to see.
School Principal Search
A few weeks ago our principal, Mrs. Pam Fahey, announced her retirement at the end of this school year. I cannot begin to thank her for the wonderful servant leadership that she has provided for our school since becoming principal in 2014. We will celebrate Mrs. Fahey’s time as principal of CTK school later in the spring. In the meantime, we have begun our search for her successor. We also plan to hire an assistant principal after our new principal has been chosen. If you know anyone who is a qualified applicant, who you believe would serve our children well as principal, they can send their résumé to me at the parish office.
Catholic Schools Week
Speaking of our school, this past week was our annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week, a time of fun activities for our students that celebrate the gift of Catholic education. I wish to thank all those who make it possible for us to have the wonderful school that we have here at CTK: our principal, faculty & staff, our school board, PTO, the many, many volunteers who help out, and you our parishioners who support the work of our school through your prayers and material support of its fundraisers and other efforts. May the Lord bless all of you for your goodness!
Blessings to you and yours for the week ahead!
Father Chris House