In today’s words from Jesus in Matthew’s gospel, we hear words for the disciples as well as for ourselves. “You are the salt of the earth” Jesus says. Continuing on he says “You are the light of the world.” To be honest these two commands are a genuine challenge to many, if not most, people in today’s world. Yes, there are some who seem to be ever-ready bunnies, always ready to be helpful. Obviously Jesus feels that being salt or light is not an impossible task. So, what are we supposed to do. How can we accomplish the task put before us by a man who himself always worked for others yet did find time to go aside for prayer or to be with the Twelve? Is it possible? Well, let’s look at some people not necessarily known to be perfect or saints but ordinary people who did extraordinary things.
Booker T. Washington. This gentleman was a slave child in the south. Who was freed while in his teens. Freedom came but that did not erase racism. He was determined to achieve greatness and to assist the American Negroes who were beginning a new lifestyle no longer locked in slavery. Mr. Washington did not let the color of his skin nor the continuing racism block his vision. He had what was a unique observation for his generation: whatever anyone wished to achieve would be measured by the “obstacles which they overcome.”
Another 19th century figure we know is Abraham Lincoln. I know there are few who could list all of the failures this future President of the United States would have before he achieved his vision. Numerous attempts to be elected in various positions in his home state failed. A first marriage ended by the death of this wife. In his second marriage he endured the loss of one son. And surely we know the saga for the Civil War and the price he paid. But he persevered. He did not give up. He relied on his God and his determination.
Let me go back just a few years ago. Together with a fellow-novice, I was assigned the care of the yard at front door of the seminary. A large circular drive, two gardens and the flower beds and grass in the circle. One day, when we reported for work, we were confronted by large trucks dumping macadam on the old driveway. We were delighted. We would not have to worry about pulling the weeds and grass that often grew in the gravel that was the old driveway. 8” of macadam was poured out on the old gravel. Steam rollers then compacted the materials. We were happy. No more pulling weeds. Not until the next Spring when to our surprise in the middle of the driveway there was a crocus that had made its way through the macadam and during the night had blossomed. What determination mother nature has. It was a great lesson for us.
There are two women who exemplified determination, trust in God, and perseverance that I put before you. First, Helen Keller. She was the first woman to earn a college degree ... the first deaf woman. In her diary you can find this thought: “Only through the experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision clarified, ambition inspired and success achieved.” This is a reality we must adapt in our own times of suffering, our own frustrations. These are the ingredients that make the salt worthy and the light bright that we bring to others and ourselves.
People like these are men and women who know what this sentence means: “Nothing is forever, and this too shall pass.” Whatever setback there is, we should not forget that it will not last forever, that is but a stepping stone to success.
Lastly, consider a famous First Lady of the United States: Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Theodore Roosevelt. This young woman never went beyond high school. She was a severe dyslexic. But that did not stop her. After marrying Mr. Roosevelt, she became the mother of their five children. All through those early marriage years, Eleanor was hounded by her mother-in-law who felt she could not do what she should a wife and mother because she had so little education. Then she also had to care for a polio victim whose legs were paralyzed, her husband, President Roosevelt. As their marriage went forward, she learned and lived with the reality that her husband had a mistress for some nineteen years. But she did not give up on her marriage. What gave her strength? She realized her mission in life and would not bend to the outside pressures. She said these remarkable words as a sum of her determination and strength. Perhaps husbands should take note: “A woman is like a teabag -- you never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.”
Lastly, most successful people, those who have overcome difficulties, know they have a mission. They know that the salt-light command of Jesus applied to them and they took it seriously. Many of them often would speak about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel... always keeping the eye focused on the goal. In frustration and stress it is easy to be distracted by different salts and different lights. One woman writer, BJ Gallagher, said words about those different salts and different lights that could mislead: Make sure the light at the tunnel's end is a grace from God. Pray that it is not a train!
Booker T. Washington. This gentleman was a slave child in the south. Who was freed while in his teens. Freedom came but that did not erase racism. He was determined to achieve greatness and to assist the American Negroes who were beginning a new lifestyle no longer locked in slavery. Mr. Washington did not let the color of his skin nor the continuing racism block his vision. He had what was a unique observation for his generation: whatever anyone wished to achieve would be measured by the “obstacles which they overcome.”
Another 19th century figure we know is Abraham Lincoln. I know there are few who could list all of the failures this future President of the United States would have before he achieved his vision. Numerous attempts to be elected in various positions in his home state failed. A first marriage ended by the death of this wife. In his second marriage he endured the loss of one son. And surely we know the saga for the Civil War and the price he paid. But he persevered. He did not give up. He relied on his God and his determination.
Let me go back just a few years ago. Together with a fellow-novice, I was assigned the care of the yard at front door of the seminary. A large circular drive, two gardens and the flower beds and grass in the circle. One day, when we reported for work, we were confronted by large trucks dumping macadam on the old driveway. We were delighted. We would not have to worry about pulling the weeds and grass that often grew in the gravel that was the old driveway. 8” of macadam was poured out on the old gravel. Steam rollers then compacted the materials. We were happy. No more pulling weeds. Not until the next Spring when to our surprise in the middle of the driveway there was a crocus that had made its way through the macadam and during the night had blossomed. What determination mother nature has. It was a great lesson for us.
There are two women who exemplified determination, trust in God, and perseverance that I put before you. First, Helen Keller. She was the first woman to earn a college degree ... the first deaf woman. In her diary you can find this thought: “Only through the experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision clarified, ambition inspired and success achieved.” This is a reality we must adapt in our own times of suffering, our own frustrations. These are the ingredients that make the salt worthy and the light bright that we bring to others and ourselves.
People like these are men and women who know what this sentence means: “Nothing is forever, and this too shall pass.” Whatever setback there is, we should not forget that it will not last forever, that is but a stepping stone to success.
Lastly, consider a famous First Lady of the United States: Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Theodore Roosevelt. This young woman never went beyond high school. She was a severe dyslexic. But that did not stop her. After marrying Mr. Roosevelt, she became the mother of their five children. All through those early marriage years, Eleanor was hounded by her mother-in-law who felt she could not do what she should a wife and mother because she had so little education. Then she also had to care for a polio victim whose legs were paralyzed, her husband, President Roosevelt. As their marriage went forward, she learned and lived with the reality that her husband had a mistress for some nineteen years. But she did not give up on her marriage. What gave her strength? She realized her mission in life and would not bend to the outside pressures. She said these remarkable words as a sum of her determination and strength. Perhaps husbands should take note: “A woman is like a teabag -- you never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.”
Lastly, most successful people, those who have overcome difficulties, know they have a mission. They know that the salt-light command of Jesus applied to them and they took it seriously. Many of them often would speak about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel... always keeping the eye focused on the goal. In frustration and stress it is easy to be distracted by different salts and different lights. One woman writer, BJ Gallagher, said words about those different salts and different lights that could mislead: Make sure the light at the tunnel's end is a grace from God. Pray that it is not a train!
