Isaiah 58:1-9a, (9b-12);  Psalm 112:1-9, (10);  1 Corinthians 2:1-12, (13-16); Matthew 5:13-20

THEME IDEAS

Combining the salt and light passages from Isaiah and Matthew sheds a new perspective on the meaning of discipleship. Followers of Christ fulfill the law and the prophets by answering Isaiah’s call to justice as the path to divine connection. When the Israelites turned their back on justice and compassion, they lost their connection with God. But in receiving the judgment that justice must be the center of a godly life, we are all given the good news that God is with us in our justice-seeking and our compassion-giving. Our light breaks forth like the dawn and shines brightly upon the hill for all to see. Our lives are salty with Christ-like love and mercy when we feed the hungry, house the homeless, and break the yokes of injustice and oppression. Let the light shine!