Homily 12 June 2007 Sancta Clara Monastery

In today’s Gospel the Lord Jesus gives us two illustrations of the Christian life…
salt and light.
The Lord calls us to be salt for the earth.
Salt adds to food a lively taste.
So we are compelled as Christian people
to add zest to the world around us…
to bring some new life
to people who have not known the truth and beauty of the Gospel.
The Lord calls us to be a light for the world.
Light brings peace and comfort to dark places…
and allows us to see what is hidden in darkness.
So we are…by our Baptism…
entrusted with His light…
and called to shine that light in places of darkness and sin…
in order that peace and goodness may shine.
Each illustration presents an opportunity for Jesus to teach the Apostles…and us…
the sad reality of failing to live up to our vocations.
If salt looses its flavor…it is good for nothing.
If a light is hidden under a bushel basket…it is entirely useless.
The words us Jesus challenge us to be authentic disciples.
Each of our own vocations requires something particular of us…
and brings with it unique opportunities to be instruments of grace.
As Poor Clare Nuns…you place yourselves at the service of
the traditions of your Order and the traditions of the Church…
and you follow a uniquely graced life in the cloister.
As priests…we commit ourselves to ministry in the person of Christ…
the Head of His Body, the Church…
and to all the many challenges and graces that brings with it.
As lay persons, you have a vocation to bring the light of the Gospel
into places where nuns and priests cannot go.
Your place is not the cloister or the sanctuary…
but the school, the office, the factory, the grocery store…
wherever someone is in need of the presence of Christ.
Each of our vocations brings with it untold opportunities to be salt and light…
to season those around us with the truth…
and to enlighten their lives with Christ’s love.
After the example of Saint Paul in his letter to the Corinthians…
say "Yes" with Christ!
Be authentic disciples…living the unique call of your own vocations!
Don’t be unseasoned salt…or hidden lights!
Find lasting peace in this life…and heavenly rest in the life to come…
by entering more deeply into your own unique place in the Church…
and never fail to live completely what she asks of you!