Wednesday, March 5 marks the first Sunday of Lent, a season where we are invited into reflection, repentance, and renewal. Lent is the 40 days before Easter where we examine our hearts and lives more closely, draw nearer to God, and to deepen our understanding of what it means to live as an apprentice of Jesus. This year, we will look more closely at the Sermon on the mount and explore what it means to be "salt" and "light" in the world.

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world.” These simple yet profound statements challenge us to consider how we are living, and if we are living each day to the fullest in the love of God. Salt, in its essence, preserves, flavors, and purifies, while light illuminates, guides, and dispels darkness. 

As we journey together through these forty days, let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s transformative work within us. May we be inspired to take our place as agents of change in a world that desperately needs the flavor of hope and the brightness of love. Let us embrace our calling to be salt and light, not just during Lent, but throughout our lives.