by Mark Escobar

Created on: May 16, 2008   Last Updated: March 12, 2012

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand."

Some farmers in the region I come from have a certain belief that before planting anything in the field, they first look at the moon. When the moon hides its face, that's the time that they begin to plant. They believe that after the seventh night it will rain, because the moon will want to wash its face. Do you believe in that?

We see the moon at this time so beautiful, round and bright that when you stay out you could imagine the language of silence it evokes and for me it is something that is deep within which radiates a human longing, longing for intimacy, longing for communion with the Holy, with the sacred forces God.

It is within this context that our gospel this Sunday has a prayerful reflection on a human situation in the light of faith. There's a theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar who presents the image of the moon. According to him, the Church, the community of disciples is like the moon. The moon reflects the light of the sun and is capable of illuminating the darkness of night.

Last Sunday, we heard the Beatitudes as supremely Jesus' self-description together they represent the finest summary of both the character and the blessedness of Christ himself.' His words present a portrait of the child of God. It is a self-portrait of Jesus; the Beloved Son. It is also a portrait of me as I must be.' They reveal the gifts of those who are really spiritually poor. This time though, as regards the mainline biblical argument the focus is on the symbolism of salt and light that disciples are called to play an important role in the economy of salvation. Jesus paradoxically pronounces "blessed" which surely applies to them, and surprisingly he tells them: "You are the salt of the earth . . You are the light of the world."

These days, salt is used in many ways. It is used to preserve food and to enhance its flavor. During the ancient times, merchants and traders used salt for commerce, so much so that the word "salary" is derived from sal, Latin word for salt.

Salt symbolizes our covenant with our people. It is the symbol of commitment and peace in human relationships. Jesus says, "Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another" (Mk 9:50).

When Jesus tells his disciples to be the "salt of the earth," he implies that we Christians should give flavor to people's lives by a life of

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