Today’s scripture: Matthew 5:13 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Sue Robinson):
I love to cook. I enjoy everything about it from planning menus to the final product. I’ve found that the proper seasoning can make or break a great recipe. Once, I made what I thought would be a great pasta dish, only to realize that I had forgotten to salt the cooking water and the pasta was more like paste than pasta. No flavor and really just good for nothing. I have since learned that it is almost impossible to season pasta after it cooks.
In this verse, we hear Jesus comparing us to salt. Salt has been used since ancient times to add flavor, but more than that, to preserve meats for later use. Meats could be cured with salt and carried for long distances and never rot or go bad. Fruit such as olives could be brined in salt and preserved for years, thus lengthening their ability to feed people long after the olive season had passed.
Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
Since Jesus compares us to salt, what does this mean? I think he is saying that, being his hands and feet in this world, we are to season our world with light and compassion. Without the seasoning of Christ’s love here on earth, the resulting life is without flavor and no good to anyone.
Prayer for the day: Lord, help us to be the preserving presence in your world and guide others to you.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.