A SALT AND A LIGHT FOR THE LAW

Memorial of St. Justin, Martyr
Mt 5:13-19

Today we celebrate the blessed memory of the second century martyr, Justin. He was a convert to Christianity and a great philosopher born in Samaria. Thirsting for truth, he found in Christ the answer to many of his questions. Through his writings, particularly the “Apologies” and “Dialogue”, he defended Christianity. During the reign of Marcus Aurelius, Justin was martyred in Rome.

The Gospel prescribed for the memorial of St. Justin speaks about three symbols: the salt, the light, and the Law. Jesus tells us that we are the salt and the light of the world. As salt, we give flavor to life and we preserve the world from corruption. But when we become tasteless, we cannot regain our saltiness and, therefore, we become useless. We must remain salty. As light, we should not hide our selves; rather, we should, like a lamp, expose our selves so that we may give light to everyone in the world. Not only is our light from God; it is also for God, for we shine in the sight of men and women not for them to praise us but our Father in heaven. The Law, however, is Christ Himself. He is the fulfillment of the Law. Whoever keeps the Law and teaches them obeys Christ and teaches Christ Himself. As salt, we make the demands of the Law “tasty” for anyone even as we preserve the integrity of the Law from corruption. As light, we make the Law understandable and acceptable. Whether as salt or as light, we are at the service of the Law, at the service of Christ.

A martyr is a witness. He or she is a salt of the earth and a light of the world, always at the service of Christ who is the fulfillment of the Law. He gives witness to Christ not only by dying but, equally important, by living for Christ. Justin is a martyr not only because he died for Christ but also because he lived for Him who quenched his thirst for truth.