But If Salt Has Lost Its Taste, How Shall Its Saltness Be Restored?
“You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43 – 48)
Christians have been told they are to be the salt of the earth. We are expected to be different, to be better, to do better, because of the grace which has been given to us. If we are, we can help save the world as co-workers of God, preserving it as our gift to God. This does not mean we will instantly be made perfect (and thankfully, God understands that, and the grace of confession is there to help bring us to that perfection). But, on the other hand, even in our imperfection, we still have obligations to each other. Since what we do or do not do directly affects the world, ignorance is not bliss, but rather, helps lead us down the path to hell on earth.
The way we treat each other, especially on blogs, needs to be better. We need to show respect to each other better, even in our differences. The way of the Christian is always the way of love. Any other response is dehumanizing (and indeed, we often respond to people without knowing where they are in their intellectual and spiritual journey; why put stumbling stones in front of them? It’s a person who is before you, a person with hopes and fears, a person with gifts and difficulties, difficulties which you might not know and would be surprised at if you did). Even though concupiscence might encourage us to respond in a way to feel smug about ourselves and how superior we are, responses which objectify someone with labels only shows how far we are from Christ’s commands for our lives.
We need to have more faith in Christ. We must not excuse our actions as being “the quickest, easiest way to make my point.” What it really shows us is that we don’t believe Christ’s ways really apply. Until we can be the salt of the earth and show the world that we believe, and put Christ’s words into action, is it any surprise that our voice is not heard? We have lost our saltiness. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Christ is risen! Let this paschal season transform us; in the resurrection, we can once again be the salt of the earth.
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“It’s a person who is before you, a person with hopes and fears, a person with gifts and difficulties, difficulties which you might not know and would be surprised at if you did.”
I think a good discussion of the various “crosses” we have in our life might be a good way for us to understand each other better. To personalize the person before us. If anyone is willing to give examples, to help us understand you better, perhaps it in return will help an increase in caritas. Indeed, I’ve been wanting to get into this conversation, and have wondered how I would best do so. We all face our own difficulties, and often, we hide them from others, but in doing so, are we being true to ourselves? Are we embracing the cross we have been given? Probably not. So to get things going, I would explain to things which (some, indeed many now) know about me, which can suggest many things, can even be used (if people wanted) as excuses to ignore what I have to say; if so, so be it. But since I am suggesting we open up and try to really engage each other as persons, I will do just that: two of the difficulties which affect me, and I work to deal with in various ways, are my chronic fatigue (which explains my odd hours, if you know anything about cfs) and a slight case of aspergers (which affects how I communicate with people). Each day they affect me in various ways, and indeed, I do compensate for them — but, like all compensations, it comes at a price. One of the reasons I am quick in writing (and poor in editing) is because it’s a struggle to get things done in time when I have “some energy.” The aspergers people wouldn’t know unless they know what to look for – its primary affects, I would say, are internal, though it does cause noticeable effects if people look for them.
Excellent post!
Mark,
Thanks. I was hoping that the comments section would open up a conversation among the bloggers, commentators, etc, so we know each other better. To personalize us, so we know where we are coming from in our struggles. Our crosses in our life. Doesn’t look like it will happen now. But I hope the main thrust of the post itself will be heard, as well.