Salt, light and pink shirts. Jesus tells his followers they are the 'salt and light of the world', what does this mean for us? - Salt Preserves, Brothers Preserve. Salt brings out flavour - brothers value what makes you unique. Light stands out - brothers are willing to be seen to be different. Light reveals - brothers are willing to call things out.
Have you ever had your McDonalds fries arrive low on salt? Salt is incredibly versatile - preserving food, low concentrations reduce bitterness and bring out the flavour in caramel while higher concentrations suppress sweetness and enhance savoury flavours - helping make those magic french fries taste just right. There is evidence of salt production from around 8000 years ago. In Chapel this week we explored how we are supposed to be the salt and light of the earth (Jesus words - see Matthew 5:13-16 below). I left the boys with four challenges as part of our theme this term around brotherhood and in particular linked to the Pink Shirt Day anti-bullying message we explored this week. These are summarised below, and should absolutely be read in parallel with the summary of our Prefects Pink Shirt Day message. It was great sharing the Chapel time with this this week.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:13-16
Salt preserves - brothers preserve.
Salt has been used for thousands of years to preserve food - keep it from ruin. We need to be like a life-preserver - be watching out and checking in on our brothers and loved ones to ensure they are doing alright.
Salt brings out flavour - brothers value what makes you unique.
Salt is often added to things such as caramel. This suppresses any bitterness and gives us the glorious rich sweet salted caramel flavour many of us know and love. Likewise, I challenged the boys that brothers value what makes you unique. It is our job to value and build each other up as unique individuals. Part of being salt is playing our part in helping those around us shine.
Light stands out - brothers are willing to be seen to be different.
Light is obvious and can be seen from a great distance. There is no hiding it. Jesus' followers are called to be seen as distinct from those around them. The simple act of walking over and sitting with another can mean the world to them. Brothers are willing to stand out in order to be an upstander for those in need around them.
Light reveals - brothers are willing to call things out.
The ubiquitous security light - simple and effective. Bad behaviour thrives in the dark where it can remain anonymous. Once behaviour has a spotlight shone on it, it frequently fades away. The powerful act of publicly calling something out as "that's not how we do things here" can squash so much abusive behaviour. A true McGlashan brother is willing to call things out.
Open Event Registration - Interested in enrolling?
Employment opportunities - click if you're interested in working at McGlashan.