June 9, 2026 Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time / Saint Ephrem (Deacon and Doctor of the Church) Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16
Today is Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time. The Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of Saint Ephrem, Deacon. The Roman Martyrology tell us: Saint Ephrem (c. 306–373) was born in Nisibis, Mesopotamia, and became a monk and deacon near Edessa (in present-day Turkey). He wrote Scriptural hymns and poems through which he combatted Arianism and encouraged devotion, especially to Our Lady. He has been called the “Harp of the Holy Ghost” and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1920.
Today, Our Lord Jesus Christ reveals to us, through the Gospel of Saint Matthew, the relationship between Christians and the world, using common items from our daily lives. I would like to offer some reflections on this.
First, salt. In daily life, salt is a very common substance. Materially speaking, it can be used for seasoning, as an antiseptic, or it exists within the human body to maintain metabolism.
Jesus compares His disciples to the salt of the earth. The meaning is this: Christians do not live in isolation from the world. On the contrary, although they have received the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ, been united with Christ, and received the anointing of the Holy Spirit to become children of God, they must still live in this world and coexist with those who do not yet know the Lord. When interacting with others, Christians must employ every viable means to live out the spirit of the Divine Word, integrating that spirit into their daily lives, so as to gradually lead those with whom they associate to accept the Word of God.
Second, light. Light can be used for illumination to dispel darkness; it can also be a form of energy—such as a laser, which can melt metal—or something intangible, such as a person’s gaze or the radiance of human goodness.
Jesus compares His disciples to the light of the world and a city set on a hill. The meaning is this: When Christians proclaim the Word of God to the world, they must first receive the illumination of the Holy Spirit and follow His guidance. Only then can they correctly reflect the spirit of the Word in their lives, so that those living alongside them may see all that God has accomplished within them through the continual transformation of their lives, and thus come to recognize the infinitely merciful and supremely good God.
May we imitate the virtuous example of Saint Ephrem, rightly discern the will of God, and worthily fulfill the mission entrusted to us by Christ.
O God, from whom all good things come, grant that we, who call on you in our need, may at your prompting discern what is right, and by your guidance do it. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever
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