Given my passion for all things culinary I like to think that Jesus
uses the image of being salt to mean we are to flavor the world not overpower
it. After all the purpose of salt is to enhance a dish and bring out the flavors
that would otherwise be missed. In the same way light illuminates what is
already there by creating a contrast making an image more interesting. We are
to flavor the world and shine light upon what is already there. Salt of the
earth and light of the world celebrates the human spirit which is able to
overcome insurmountable obstacles and endure hardship and suffering with
courage and fortitude. These things are not exclusive to the Christian church though for
too long in our arrogance we have acted as if salt were the whole dish and
light existed for itself. That does not mean there are not bitter dishes that
cannot be salvaged or darkness in the human heart that no amount of light can
banish. But the salt of the Gospel flavors the best qualities of being human
and the light of the Gospel shines on what is noble and good. In the same way
that salt without a dish to flavor it is useless and light with nothing to
illuminate serves no purpose the fulfilling of the law and the prophets doesn't add to what is already there, it just makes it more visible and if you like,
more appetizing.
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