Salty Language
12 June 2018
In today’s Gospel, we hear about being a light for others.
Having been illuminated by Jesus ourselves, we radiate His light to those around us:
In the same way, your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.
It’s a beautiful text, and many a fine sermon has been preached on it, but today I’m thinking about the verses just before it, where Jesus tells His disciples that we are …. ‘salt’?
You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
Salt is a flavour enhancer. It draws out the flavour that is hidden inside. Or, more plainly, it makes bland stuff more interesting. So, if we are to be salt, our job is to bring out flavour that is hidden inside, and make life more interesting! This is true of our Church life as much as our life in the world.
To be salt in the Church, you need to understand the dignity and Holy Spirit power your baptism gives you. This is your Church, and it needs your flavour. Bring your gifts to the table.
To be salt in the world, you have to know that you are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ by God (Ps 139.14), that you have been blessed with unique gifts and creativity. No one can bring what you can. You are part of God’s answer to the problems that beset humanity.
A Christian who has never discovered their saltiness, their unique flavour enhancing power, runs the risk of being trampled underfoot. Don’t let that happen. Bring flavour to your world today!