Bright Flavor

13 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 under foot. 14 You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all in the house. (Matthew 5:13-15)

In Matthew's gospel, Jesus teaches that the disciples (and we) are salt of the earth and light of the world. At the time Jesus spoke these words salt was mined manually and light could not be produced at the flip of a switch. These were valuable commodities that helped to sustain life. Salt was a seasoning, a preservative, a disinfectant, used for ceremonial offerings and as a unit of exchange. Of course light was needed to see, to cook, and for warmth. Salt gives flavor but will be painful in a wound not yet healed, and light illuminates both the beautiful and the unsightly. Both must be used in order to fulfill their purpose.

As salt of the earth, we are to flavor, or influence, the world for good. The wounds of injustice and marginalization should both sting and be healed because of our presence. As light of the world, we are honored and challenged to be like Jesus - living grace-filled lives that will not cause God's light to be hidden. A dish is described as having a bright flavor when the acid of a fruit or the taste of an herb cuts through other flavors to both surprise and complement on the palate. When we allow our lives to be used by God, God's grace, peace and love will cut through the mess of sin and separation to bring bright flavor to the bland, unsavory, places of indifference and hate.

6 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:6-8)