This is an extract from an article by Jérôme Ishema who lives in Cameroun. Jerome reflects on how the images of the lamp, salt and yeast can help Marists live in the Church and in the world.
Mary is the mother who dared to be the disciple of her Son and who effectively supported his work whilst remaining hidden and unknown. How can she be the good disciple when this attitude of being hidden and unknown seems to contradict the recommendation of her Son when he says: No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house (Mt 5:15)?
The lamp, salt and yeast are three biblical images that reflect the gift of fruitful evangelical discretion (which must characterise the Marist way in the Church and in the world). The secret of the gift: what matters for the surrounding area is the light, and not the connection that illuminates the lamp, even though without it there is no light. The same reasoning applies to salt. Salt in food is never visible. It is hidden. And no one will speak about the salt if the right amount is added. Instead they will say: this food is good. Yeast, like salt, is always hidden in the dough. We see the dough rising without seeing the yeast. We only know the yeast by seeing its effects. These three images help us understand that if the amount is right it will not be noticed.
In the midst of the newborn Church, Mary is this light, salt and yeast. By her silent presence she strengthens it. The first Marists understood this and lived it within their context. Now it is our turn, within the context in which we are called, to continue the work of Mary.
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