In today’s world, public recognition and media visibility are fast becoming the measure of one’s worth and existence. Many people want to be seen; they hate being ignored. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus seems to reinforce this mindset when He calls His disciples “the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13–16). His words sound like a divine mandate to stand out and shine brighter.

Yet a closer look reveals a deeper insight. It may indeed be necessary for the disciples to be visible so they can attract more followers, but this does not mean they should aggressively engage in self-promotion. It should be God, not they, who is in the spotlight: “so that people may glorify the heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16). Like light and salt, they achieve their purpose best by being unnoticed.

Light redirects attention away from itself and toward whatever it illuminates. When a lamp brightens a room, our attention is immediately focused on the people gathered there, the textures and colors of the walls and floor, the furniture, and other fixtures. We do not even notice the lamp. The less attention light draws to itself, the more perfectly it fulfills its goal of making things visible.

As the “light of the world,” we must not obscure the Christian message by our inordinate desire to be noticed. We must step back so that everything else can step forward.

Salt takes this even further. Salt does not merely step back; it disappears. It enhances food by dissolving into it, allowing the underlying flavors to emerge more vividly. Salt makes food taste better by getting out of the way. You never hear people compliment the salt when they enjoy a good meal.

To be the salt of the earth means bringing out the best in others without posting pictures of what we have done. It is influencing others to be the best versions of themselves without expecting our good deeds to go viral. This kind of humility is contrary to the character of a world addicted to fame and attention.

Of course, being light and salt also has its downside. Light reveals not only what is beautiful but also what is cracked, messy, and broken. Jesus expects us to do the same: to help people accept their weakness and vulnerability. No one wants to be told of their defects and wounds, but this is the only way by which they become open to God’s healing grace. The truth we speak can sting. But as Jesus Himself exemplified, the truth that hurts can also be the truth that heals.

As the salt of the earth, we can also unsettle people’s sensibilities, especially those who dismiss traditional Christian values as outdated, irrelevant, or impractical. Like salt that functions as a preservative, we are meant to protect and defend these values against the forces that would destroy them.

It takes courage to live like real disciples: to show up, do the work, and not expect a curtain call. Jesus warned, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1).

In Naples, Italy, a practice called “caffè sospeso” became popular as a way of helping the less fortunate, especially during an economic downturn. Someone enters a café, pays for two cups of coffee, drinks one, and leaves the other to be claimed later by a stranger. This practice echoes Jesus’ words: “When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). This simple act of “paying it forward” is now practiced in other countries and is not limited to coffee. People also pay forward bread, books, medicine, and meals for those who cannot afford them.

In a world grown dark and tasteless through self-interest, anonymous and random acts of kindness like “caffè sospeso” are powerful ways of being the light and salt of the earth. The courage to do good without being noticed is perhaps the kind of heroism our world needs most.