February 7
‘‘You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?’ Matthew 5:13a
Bible reading: Psalm 42 (Go to the Bible passage)
‘You are the salt of the earth.’ That is what Jesus told His disciples. Could they live up to this? To be a purifying salt in this miserable world? Jesus also said, ‘You are the light of the world.’ Were they? Not at all by themselves.
Just read Matthew 17:14-21. There is told what happened when someone came to Jesus and asked Him to heal his son who suffered from severe seizures, and the man said, ‘I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.’ This surely was an accusation! Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘How long shall I put up with you?’
Jesus said the disciples could not heal the boy because of their little faith. Yet they knew Jesus to be the Son of the living God. Simon Peter had said so, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!’ (Matthew 16:16).
When we look at the distress of this broken world - not only far away but also very nearby - how powerless we then often feel. There are so many people who yearn for an outstretched hand of God, but it seems to them God does not answer. To them it is like God does not exist or does not want to listen!
We should not allow ourselves to be confused by the sight of so much misery all around us. There is salvation. God truly wants to answer those who call upon Him. But His power can only go out from us if our hearts become completely devoted to Him once again. Only when God can pour out His love in our hearts - love that does not ask but gives for Christ’s sake - then we will be able, just like the disciples after Pentecost, to bring divine salvation in much distress.

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