The second word that I want to leave this evening is the one aimed at young people throughout the world, who are preparing to celebrate two months between the World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada: "You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world "(cf. Mt 5: 13-14).
In Scripture, the salt is a symbol of the covenant between man and God (cf. Lev 2:13). By Baptism, the Christian shares in this deal that lasts forever. Salt is also a sign of hospitality: "Have salt in yourselves, says Jesus, and be at peace with one another" (Mk 9, 50). To be the salt of the earth means be a peacemaker and a witness of love. Salt is also used to preserve food, to give it flavor, and becomes a symbol of endurance and immortality: to be salt of the earth, is to be the bearer of an eternal promise. Again, the salt is healing power (cf. 2 Kings 2, 20-22), which makes it an image of inner purification and conversion of heart. Jesus himself speaks of the salt of purifying and redemptive suffering (cf. Mk 9, 49): Christians on earth is witness to the salvation won through the Cross.
5. Equally rich is the symbolism of light: the lamp light, warmth and joy. "Lamp to my feet Your word is a light to my path," says the Church's faith in prayer (Ps 119, 105). Jesus, the Word of the Father, is the inner light that dispels the darkness of sin is the fire that drives away all coldness, is the flame that gives joy to life, is the splendor of truth, shining before us, on our way. Those who follow him will not walk in darkness but have the light of life. Thus, the disciple of Jesus must be a disciple of light (cf. Jn 8, 12, 3, 20-21).
"You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world." Never were words spoken to man at the same time so simple and so good! Of course, only Christ can be fully called salt of the earth and light of the world, because He alone can give flavor, strength and durability to our life, without him, would be insipid, fragile and ephemeral. He alone can give us light, warmth and joy.
but that he wants you to share its own mission and who before you today in no uncertain terms these fiery words: "You are the salt of the earth you are the light of the world." In the mystery of the Incarnation and the Redemption, Christ with every Christian's life and puts the light and salt of wisdom in the depths of his heart, sharing with those who welcome him the power to become children of God (cf. Jn 1 12) and the duty to bear witness to this intimate presence, and this hidden light.
Therefore, accept with humble courage that God speaks to you. In his great power and tenderness, he calls you to be holy. It would be foolish to boast of such a call, but it would be irresponsible to reject it. Would be to subscribe to the failure in life. Léon Bloy, a French Catholic writer of the twentieth century, wrote: "There is only one sad to not be saints" (La femme pauvre, II, 27).
6. Remember, my young friends: you are called to be salt of the earth and light of the world! Jesus does not ask you just to say or do something, Jesus asks you to be salt and light! And not for one day only, but for a lifetime. It 'a commitment that he puts in every morning and every room. You have to be salt and light with the people in your family and your friends, you must be with other young people - Orthodox, Jews and Muslims - with whom you have daily contact in places of study, work and leisure. It also depends on to you to build a society where all people can find their place and is recognized and their dignity and their freedom. Do your part, because Bulgaria is every day more and more a land of hospitality, prosperity and peace.
Everyone is responsible for their own choices. There is nothing obvious, you know. Jesus himself speaks of possible infidelity: "If the salt loses its flavor - he says - with what shall it be salted?" (Mt 5, 13). Never forget, dear young people, that when the dough does not rise, is not the fault of the dough, but the yeast. When a house is in darkness, means that the light is extinguished. Therefore, "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven" (Mt 5:16).
In Scripture, the salt is a symbol of the covenant between man and God (cf. Lev 2:13). By Baptism, the Christian shares in this deal that lasts forever. Salt is also a sign of hospitality: "Have salt in yourselves, says Jesus, and be at peace with one another" (Mk 9, 50). To be the salt of the earth means be a peacemaker and a witness of love. Salt is also used to preserve food, to give it flavor, and becomes a symbol of endurance and immortality: to be salt of the earth, is to be the bearer of an eternal promise. Again, the salt is healing power (cf. 2 Kings 2, 20-22), which makes it an image of inner purification and conversion of heart. Jesus himself speaks of the salt of purifying and redemptive suffering (cf. Mk 9, 49): Christians on earth is witness to the salvation won through the Cross.
5. Equally rich is the symbolism of light: the lamp light, warmth and joy. "Lamp to my feet Your word is a light to my path," says the Church's faith in prayer (Ps 119, 105). Jesus, the Word of the Father, is the inner light that dispels the darkness of sin is the fire that drives away all coldness, is the flame that gives joy to life, is the splendor of truth, shining before us, on our way. Those who follow him will not walk in darkness but have the light of life. Thus, the disciple of Jesus must be a disciple of light (cf. Jn 8, 12, 3, 20-21).
"You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world." Never were words spoken to man at the same time so simple and so good! Of course, only Christ can be fully called salt of the earth and light of the world, because He alone can give flavor, strength and durability to our life, without him, would be insipid, fragile and ephemeral. He alone can give us light, warmth and joy.
but that he wants you to share its own mission and who before you today in no uncertain terms these fiery words: "You are the salt of the earth you are the light of the world." In the mystery of the Incarnation and the Redemption, Christ with every Christian's life and puts the light and salt of wisdom in the depths of his heart, sharing with those who welcome him the power to become children of God (cf. Jn 1 12) and the duty to bear witness to this intimate presence, and this hidden light.
Therefore, accept with humble courage that God speaks to you. In his great power and tenderness, he calls you to be holy. It would be foolish to boast of such a call, but it would be irresponsible to reject it. Would be to subscribe to the failure in life. Léon Bloy, a French Catholic writer of the twentieth century, wrote: "There is only one sad to not be saints" (La femme pauvre, II, 27).
6. Remember, my young friends: you are called to be salt of the earth and light of the world! Jesus does not ask you just to say or do something, Jesus asks you to be salt and light! And not for one day only, but for a lifetime. It 'a commitment that he puts in every morning and every room. You have to be salt and light with the people in your family and your friends, you must be with other young people - Orthodox, Jews and Muslims - with whom you have daily contact in places of study, work and leisure. It also depends on to you to build a society where all people can find their place and is recognized and their dignity and their freedom. Do your part, because Bulgaria is every day more and more a land of hospitality, prosperity and peace.
Everyone is responsible for their own choices. There is nothing obvious, you know. Jesus himself speaks of possible infidelity: "If the salt loses its flavor - he says - with what shall it be salted?" (Mt 5, 13). Never forget, dear young people, that when the dough does not rise, is not the fault of the dough, but the yeast. When a house is in darkness, means that the light is extinguished. Therefore, "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven" (Mt 5:16).
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