Salt and light

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THESE three manifesto chapters, Matthew 5, 6 and 7 outline a radical response to, and action plan for, social change. The start of this sequence draws the reader deep through the beatitudes into the heart of the gospel story (5:1-12). Co-opted as characters in the Kingdom drama we are first cast in the role of ‘salt’ (5:13) and then of ‘light’ (5:14). Seemingly insignificant elements, bread baked without salt is bland; the smallest spark of light shines as hope in the presence of despair.

What does it mean to be salt or light in the today’s context? How does it feel to read these chapters as if we were indeed key players in the transformation of society? In situations of conflict sometimes the silent presence of a third party can be enough to soften the edges of aggression. Like yeast within the dough, a mediator’s presence may leaven a situation which enables the key players then to make the necessary changes for justice to prevail.

The gospel writer early on in these chapters lays down the first of two bookends. Jesus says ‘I have come not to abolish but to fulfil [the law]’ (5:17). For ‘fulfil’ we could read ‘challenge the deeper causes of injustice lying below the surface of social inequality.’ The tableau set, there now follows a sequence of 12 stories or mini dramas illustrating just how this fulfilment of the law could unfold.

Whether gripped by anger, ethical dilemmas, revenge; charity, prayer or possessions – the stuff of life – Jesus’ invitation is to a) notice what is happening, b) ask if justice is being applied and c) dig deeper to ask ethical questions of yourself and of society. It’s one thing to change behaviours and habits. For culture to change for the long haul, however, we must ask deeper questions about the root causes of conflict or injustice.

The three-chapter sequence ends with another bookend (7:12). Through all of life, whatever our behaviour, our stance on law or our manifesto for social change, treat each person exactly as we ourselves would like to be treated, no matter how different they may be. We are indeed key players in this drama – we are salt and light, we have power beyond our imagining to transform not only individual lives, but the whole of society. Each world religion expresses this Golden Rule slightly differently. Gandhi’s words: ‘be the change you want to see in the world’ are yet another expression of this universal truth.

Matthew 5, 6 and 7 open up key areas of social and moral decision-making. These chapters first invite us to take the knowledge, skills and law that we have to ensure all are treated fairly. Then we are compelled to dig deeper, to look at and challenge the root causes of injustice – the deeply held societal norms that trap people into poverty and inequality, and that legitimise war and aggression.

Ruth Harvey is a Church of Scotland minister and Leader of the Iona Community.

The Iona Community is a dispersed Christian ecumenical community working for peace and social justice, rebuilding of community and the renewal of worship. www.iona.org.uk

This article appears in the October 2020 Issue of Life and Work

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