Salt was a very important product before there were other ways of preserving meats and fish. It is also important for flavoring food. Over the years, salt goes in and out of favor as it has been linked to heart problems and high blood pressure. At the moment, salt is back in favor and can be considered by some a highly prized and highly priced condiment.
Have you seen what is on the shelves of some gourmet food shops? Black salt, pink salt, and Mediterranean salt – the types of salt are endless. But the statement above still stands – once the salt has lost its flavor its only good use is to melt ice on a slippery sidewalk!
So, what does Jesus mean when he says that we are the “salt of the earth?” Let’s think about salt.
I put some in the water when I cook pasta or potatoes. We even use it when we make something sweet. It can be used to help bread and rolls rise. The salt enters into the foods and spreads its flavor throughout. We who believe in Jesus have been spread throughout the world to “flavor” it with Jesus’ love.
Christianity spread rather quickly in the early days of the church because of the love that they showed one another. Today it seems that there is more division than love being spread in our world and that includes among Christians.
It looks like we need to “salt” our world a little more! Let’s start with our family and then move on to our neighborhoods and so on and so on. We need to start before we lose our own flavor and can no longer be witnesses of Christ’s love to others.
Lord, you have given us a mission to bring your love into the world; to be your witnesses to the Good News. Please help us to live lives that will bring others to you and to the knowledge of your love for them. Amen.
