When Jesus told us that we need to be the “salt of the earth” in Matthew 5:13, He was conveying a very deep and manifold concept. Salt irritates and stings infected and injured flesh because it is killing harmful microbes that sicken and destroy the flesh. Salt is also used to preserve food to keep it from spoiling for the same reasons. So too, as Catholics who seek Christ and to be His faithful disciples, we must not lose our saltiness for Jesus reminds us that we will then be good for nothing.
As salt, we need not and should not verbally get in everyone’s face by confrontational irritation for this is the deadly sin of pride. We will be irritating enough by simply trying to focus on our own growth and spiritual maturity. By following Jesus’ example; by choosing virtue in every decision, instead of choosing sin, pride and vice as our response in every moment of our lives, we will be far more effective as salt through our example than we would be with words. Our society is drowning in words and it is only by the fruit of our lives (Matthew 7:15-20) that we remain salt for the earth and a light to the world.
Our example will be more irritating to the world the more the world saturates itself in the infection of evil. We must humbly persevere in following Jesus in the face of that evil. Pray and work in virtue. Seek the seven virtues, both theological and cardinal; study the Scriptures; and pray, pray to and with Christ without ceasing. Do all with a cheerful heart so that you do not become vinegar and bitter. Do know that the crown awaits those who persevere in humble obedience to Christ.
After all, salt and vinegar is only tasty on chips.
That’s me away.
3 comments:
Christians on a long climb? At the summit, I think I will meet many hikers with two hiking poles, perseverance and humility.
For a second time I visited the "Who Are the Plain Catholics" web site that is linked on the left side of your blog.
It registered in my mind this time as I was reading the site that there is a reference to GK Chesterton (1874-1936). I think I had not known about GK Chesterton when I first visited the web site many months ago. In the past few months I have been watching the GK Chesterton show on EWTN. So, it was another “well, how about that!” moment when I saw GK Chesterton as a reference.
Oh aye; GK Chesterton was the quintessence of common sense, humor and humility. He saw and sparked about the barking madness of issues that plague us still.
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