Changing the World with a Shaker of Salt
Rev. Jimmy Moore, preaching
Matthew 5:13-20
“Take this with a grain of salt.” Has anyone ever said that to you? When we say that, we usually mean that whatever we are saying is better taken conditionally…that there could be other facts that could impact what we are saying. But the phrase originated with Pliny the Elder, in the late first century, who when describing a remedy for poison, urged that the concoction be taken with salt. The implication was that the salt would help the medicine go down by limiting any harmful effects. We expect salt to help us out.
In his book, SALT: A WORLD HISTORY, Mark Kurlansky turns his attention to salt, the only rock we eat, to describe the ways that it has shaped civilization from the very beginning. Our very physical bodies need salt to survive. Salt has served as currency, impacted trade routes, and inspired revolutions. It allowed cultures to move beyond seasonal availability of food, and speaking of food, many of us are deeply disappointed if our food is too bland, lacking some salty flavor. These, of course, are only a few of the uses of salt.
For all of that, and perhaps because of that, it makes it difficult to know what Jesus meant when calling the disciples “the salt of the earth”. At the least, two things are true. For those listening who might have supposed that the great thing that was needed was for someone to come in and make things better, Jesus says, if effect, “…you are the salt of the earth. You are those who can impact the world for good.” And second, rather than relying on the great powers of Empire, wealth and weapons, the reign of God comes through the domestic graces: loving gesture, gracious speech, lively community, and prophetic calls.
This will be our theme at St. Mark’s this Sunday morning at the 10:30 worship service, where the sermon is titled, “Changing the World with a Shaker of Salt”, arising from Matthew 5:13-20. The Chancel Choir, directed by Gerry Sousa, will lead us in worship. We hope to see you.