Every baptized person is to work full-time for the Lord — twenty-four hours a day, every day, and no vacations.

Only a few Christians are called to work full-time for the Lord in their parishes or in Christian ministries. Most Christians work in the secular world, where their job is to be full-time light and full-time salt.

To do this, we must be courageous in persecution, for "everyone who practices evil hates the light; he does not come near it for fear his deeds will be exposed" (Jn 3:20). To be salt and light, we must be repentant and holy, or we will lose our unique flavor and then have nothing to offer to the world. To be salt and light, we must love the world so much that we will forgive our worldly enemies and give our lives for them (see Jn 3:16).

Each of us Christians can be full-time salt and light anywhere God puts us. We don't have to be in a certain situation or have money, brains, or talent. To be salt and light, we must love Jesus and speak and act from the overflowing abundance of that love (Lk 6:45).

The world is a tasteless darkness. Some commit suicide; others distract themselves. "See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines" (Is 60:2). Sprinkle your salt; shine your light. Give hope and life.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, November 12, 1996

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 10, 1996