“By looking at food can you tell whether it has salt or not?” That was Father Gabriel on today’s sermon.Father Gabriel delivers thought provoking sermons. And he loves what he does. The only problem with Father Gabriel is that he preaches on and on and when he says “Finally my brothers and sisters…” brace yourself because he’s only halfway through the sermon. Today was no exception. We sat and listened as Father Gabriel drifted from on-topic to off-topic back to on-topic again.
The message was simple. As a christian you are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world(Matthew 5:13-16). He reminded us about the three main uses of use of salt in the literal sence. Salt adds flavour to food, preserves,and even kills bacteria.
Be the flavour – Think of flavour as showing kindness, caring about other’s feelings or having a joyful attitude. Do something.
- “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)
Preserve! – Keep your faith and by so doing, you will be encourage others to do the same.
Neutralize the bad – Do good, even when good is unpopular.
- “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate.” Mother Teresa.
Lengthy sermon it was but I dared not walk out even when my younger daughter started tagging on my arm asking if we are going any time soon. I dared not walk out because I was seated at the fifth bench from the front and father Gabriel knows me personally. My dad was his teacher years ago and two years ago he, then a deacon, assisted Father Antony during our wedding mass.
One more thing, Father Gabriel loves to sing – offtune! At mass he had us sing at what seemed like every one one hour of the sermon. He once told us that music is in his blood and he cannot stay in a house with no music. What I don’t get is how you can be passionate about something and still be so bad at it ? Anyway the message was delivered and behold, it has inspired my second post on the Spiritual Sunday series!
Happy week everyone and remember you, are the salt!