Tuesday 10th week in ordinary time
"Mt 5:13-16"
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.<br><br>“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Christians are called to shine, not like the sun, but like the moon. The sun produces light, the moon only reflects it. God produces light and saints reflect the light of God. When a house has no lights on we think it is empty. When we enter the house and turn lights on, the 'dark' atmosphere changes into a living home. In the same way, we Christians carry our own bright atmosphere wherever we go.
An atmosphere such as that of the concentration camps can make a profound impression on the inmates. In those situations, previously good, well-tempered people started to fall into arguments, fights and even criminal behaviour. In all, 2,579 Catholic priests were sent to Dachau concentration camp. But the atmosphere in the 'Priest Block' was quite different and puzzling for the SS guards. They could hear them sometimes singing, and often see them smiling. Not a few of the guards were bowled over by the priests' example: they served each other, they helped each other. They never fought for food unless to save it for the sick or weak ones. The oppressive atmosphere of the camp was challenged by the bright Christian atmosphere that the 'Priest Block' irradiated over the camp. This 'challenge' infuriated the Nazi guard, who tortured them with even more cruelty, ignorant of the source of their joy. 'But the more hatred they received' said one of the survivors from another barrack, 'the more love they spread. The Priest Block was a beacon of light that prevented us getting lost in the darkness of despair. They sowed peace and joy all over the camp. They taught us to counteract an environment of hatred and brutality with love and forgiveness. They filled us with hope and so, saved our lives.'
That's the light that Christ places in our hearts. My Mother, help me to maintain a bright Christian atmosphere wherever I am, following the advice of St Josemaría: "Don't let your life be barren. Be useful. Make yourself felt. Shine forth with the torch of your faith and your love."
