This past week was a great moment of “Salt and Light.” It started with turning on my irrigation system for my yard sprinkler system.

 

Each year around May, I notify the Utilities Company that controls the water to turn it on for the summer.

 

As I made my call to set it up, I was asked what day I would like to have it turned on or activated because it’s a separate water bill from the house. I decided that tomorrow May 3, 2023, would be fine since I had called in the afternoon.  Why pay for a full day of service with have the day already gone?

 

As, I retrieved my trash receptacle bin from the front yard the following morning, I noticed the service person (Jason) was at my house, in which I greeted him.

 

As he looked up, I told him about a specific concern I had with my sprinkler system last year.  Just before last year, I turned off the water for the summer, I had a water bill for $76.00 which I thought was unusually high considering I had just paid $450.00 to fix a leak.

 

Here’s where the lesson of “Salt and Light” comes into play.

 

Jason advised me that unlike most technicians, he turns the water on slowly to ensure the pressure is gradually being released, vice just turning it on. Jason taught me something I did not know about the air in the lines and how pipes can break if you release the pressure to quickly.

 

I’m grateful for his training, and he made my list of five things to be grateful for that day.

 

Who would have thought that the night before, I spoke at my Toastmaster’s meeting with a speech entitled “The Good Ones.”  Jason is one of the good ones.

 

He told me it took a minute for the water to regulate based on the air in the pipes and water pressure.

 

I would have never known this without stopping by while he put my sprinkler system in service. On a side note, this was my second water repair, and if possible, I wanted to ensure it was my last one.

 

The second thing he told me was that he was responsible for this specific route in my neighborhood.  Jason told me, “he would frequently check and place a note on my door of the readings for both systems to ensure no leaks were present.”

 

This information was acts of light and salt.  Not because we were of different cultures and colors but because Jason understands the importance of treating people correctly.

 

What Does It Mean to Be Salt and Light? – Good Faith Media

 

Salt and light are how we should live, yet I’m sure you and I have known or know some salty people that don’t exemplify salt and light to the world.

 

Sometimes we need subtle reminders that we must be salt and light.

 

At least it’s true for me as I live one day at a time.

 

I often wonder if we have forgotten those lessons of being salt and light to the world, or maybe we had never been taught them.

 

I then took it further by calling the Harvest-Monrovia Water and Fire Protection Authority, INC.  I told them Jason was going beyond the call of duty.  Once they verified and accessed my address and name, they said they would ensure Jason’s supervisors would be aware of my call.

 

I, too, returned the favor of salt and light by giving him recognition.

 

My second significant encounter was through the fellowship of the Gulf Coast District Knights of Peter Claver Conference in Mobile, Alabama, over the weekend.

 

I heard powerful testimonies that made me believe these individuals were “Salt and Light” to the world.

 

One by a 98-year-old war hero in, which we honor during our time together at Mass.  We also renamed a yearly award in his honor, which he presented to this year’s recipient of the Knights of Peter Claver Man of the Year.

 

The other was by a young lady who started her Catholic journey at thirteen (13) in the organization as a Jr. Daughter.  She will now prepare to represent this organization at the highest level.  In short, through her good works, she is selected to go to Rome, spend ten (10) minutes with the Pope Francis, SJ head of the Catholic Church, and highlight our organization.

 

As you reflect on your past week, how are you displaying salt and light to the world? I’m always grateful for those that shine their light on others.

 

What type of attitudes are you providing each day?

 

You may not have thought about salt and light lately; however, this may be your reminder for this week.

 

We should not ask, ‘What is wrong with the world?’ for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather we should ask, “What has happened to salt and light?-John Stott