“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” // Matthew 5:13
I know the recipe by heart. For several years now, almost every Friday afternoon I make pizza dough from scratch. Yeast, warm water, a bit of brown sugar, then salt, oil, flour. The kneading, punching down, rolling out, simple work of my hands, is a source of comfort and joy for me and my family.
One Friday evening as we sat around the table eating our pizza (cheese for the kids, green pepper and onion for my husband and me), I thought to myself, something is off. The crust just didn’t taste like it normally did. I waited to see if anyone else would say something. No one did. But later I realized what happened: I had forgotten to add the oil and salt. I had gotten distracted in the midst of my dough-making routine, and had left out two key ingredients. The pizza was not nearly as good.
In today’s Gospel passage Jesus tells His disciples that we are the salt of the earth (see Matthew 5:13-16). Have you ever thought about salt as a key ingredient for the recipe of our Christian life? If we lose the flavor of Christ and His ways, Jesus tells us we are no longer good for anything, so I am humbled to admit that lately I feel like I’ve lost some of mine.
I grow weary in showing up for prayer, my never-ending to-do list always calling. My daily habit of spending time in the Word slips away. The anxieties of this world distract my mind and heart until by grace I begin again: I am strengthened by His very Body and Blood in the Eucharist. I spend time in His true presence in Adoration. I receive His mercy in Reconciliation. I am salt once more.
Lord, give us the strength and courage to be salt in a culture that lacks Your flavor, and may it preserve us for eternal life. Help us to find lasting nourishment in Your Sacraments. Amen.
Elise Howe is a wife, mother, vocal artist, and teacher. She is most joyful when creating with the inspiration of the Divine Artist. Elise hopes to live a life full of authentic beauty—especially through her song, her cut-flower garden, great books, delicious ice cream, and her yes to the Father. A born-and-raised Midwestern gal, she happily resides in Michigan with her husband, son, and two daughters. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire and Blessed Conversations: Misericordia.
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