Skip to main content
ParishConnect LogoHome
Nativity of Our Lord
search
Login

Next Masses

Allarrow-right
Thu11:30 PMMass of the Lord's...
Fri9:30 AMcancelled for Good...
Fri4:00 PMGood Friday

5th Sunday of Ordinary Time -Salt and Light

Fr. Michael MachacekNativity of Our LordFebruary 10, 2020
unlockPublic

5th Sunday of Ordinary Time A Mt. 5:13-16 2020

As you have likely heard, media reports emerged over the weekend of Feb. 22/23 regarding Jean Vanier and his abusive behavior confirmed in an independent report commissioned by L’Arche International. This is a distressing time for all those who have been involved with L’Arche and Jean Vanier over so many years. In my homily below, which was delivered two weeks before the reports came out, I make references to Jean Vanier. Along with Catholics throughout the world, I am shattered by these revelations and my sincerest prayers goes out to the victims as the members of L'Arche worldwide. Below you will also find a brief statement from Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, released on February 22, 2020:

“An investigation has revealed very disturbing behaviour by Jean Vanier, revered and loved by so many, both in Canada and around the world. The news is tragic and heart wrenching. We pray for the victims of abuse, mindful of their immeasurable pain and suffering. In the midst of this darkness, we find a ray of light in those who so faithfully serve in L'Arche communities worldwide and have dedicated their lives to friendship, care and love.”

Salt and light.  Two essential components of human life.  So important, in fact, that the Canadian Catholic Television Network of Canada is named Salt and Light. In Toronto, Salt and Light TV is on Rogers Cable Channel 240 and on Bell TV it is channel 654.  Most importantly though, in our gospel Jesus tells us to be salt and light.

While salt and light are quite different, they do have 2 things in common:  first, each of them is perceived by using one of our 5 human senses – salt, through our sense of taste, and light, through our sense of sight; and secondly, rarely is either of them the main object of our perception.  For example, when you are invited to a dinner, you do not expect to be served a dish of salt.  Understandably, you expect to be served food, not salt. But you can expect that salt was used to enhance the flavour of the food you are served. Light is like that too – when you turn on a light, you do so not to look at the light, but in order to look at other things by using the light.

I’d like to consider now Jesus’ call that each one of us is called to the be the light of the world.  First, please note that Jesus is not calling us to be something so bright that anyone who looks at us is blinded. No!  But when you are acting as the light of the world, what are you doing?  You’re enabling other people to see something other than yourself.  You’re helping them to see other things in a new, but most importantly, true perspective – to see things as God sees them.  Allow me to use the example of Jean Vanier – to explain how that is possible – how a person can act as a light to the world.

Jean Vanier grew up in a life of privilege in the first half of the 20th century.  His father was the Governor-General of Canada, and Jean was able to attend the best schools in Europe.  After the 2nd World War Jean served as an officer in the Canadian Navy but soon resigned his position to study, and then later teach philosophy at the University of Toronto.  In 1964, his life took a rather dramatic turn.  Jean obtained a house in France where he lived with two people who had profound developmental challenges.  Soon others were attracted to the idea of a community where people with disabilities lived with those who care for them. Quickly new communities were formed, and they became known by the French word L’Arche. At present there are 153 L'Arche communities in 38 countries throughout the world, including one called Daybreak just north of Toronto in Richmond Hill.

Vanier became quite famous for his work with L’Arche, as well as his books and speaking engagements, and he was awarded many Canadian and international honours.  However, any acclaims that came his way he would push aside.  Vanier strongly felt that any acclaim instead should be given to L’Arche and not him - for what needed to be celebrated was not him, but the people that lived in these communities – especially those who were challenged developmentally and physically. 

Vanier understood that it was his task to shine light on those persons with developmental challenges who in the past had been so overlooked and avoided in our society. Rather that shunning them and turning our eyes from them, Vanier urged us to look at them and see them and to be with them – for they too were children of God, made by God – and we supposedly “normal” people had much to learn from them.  This was his good work – leading and helping others to see and find the presence of God in those who were so profoundly challenged. This was his way of acting as a light to the world, and for that matter, as salt of the earth.

From Psalm 34 we hear - “Taste and see that the Lord is good”.  Now while we may know that the Lord is good, there are many others in our midst who don’t.  Our task in this life is to be like all those who in the past helped to open our eyes as to the presence of God in all human life, including the most vulnerable and challenged, so that we too may be the salt of the earth, and the light to the world. And when we do that, others will come to know, that yes, God is good.