Mark 9:50
Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’
Jesus continues talking to his followers about our problem with comparisonitis. The followers were arguing about who would be the greatest and the least. John changes the topic to ask who is right and who is wrong. The followers are still trying to draw a line in the sand. We draw lines and those lines separate people into the haves and have-nots of whatever topic we pick. Jesus now replies. If our judgmentalness harms the faith of another, we are in trouble. We would be better off to cut off that part of the body that offends, be it our eyes as we look and evaluate others, be it our ears as we listen to tasty morsels of gossip, or be it our pocketbook as we evaluate people by their houses, income, or resources. Following false gods will lead us away from God and will not be love for all.
I heard a brilliant sermon on this passage. The pastor talked about watching the Olympics and then watching the following Olympics for those with physical limitations, who were all missing parts of their body for whatever reason. He then had his daughter who has Down’s Syndrome stand and show the gold metal she had won in a competition. The whole church stood and applauded her as she beamed. The point is not what we have or don’t have but what we do with the abilities we are given. We can be like salt bringing out the best in the other but it is when our eyes turn onto ourselves that our salt looses its saltiness.
Our quote concludes advising us to have salt within ourselves and be at peace with others. Our Lenten reflection to day is to ask ourselves what is salt in your life that brings out the good in you? Perhaps there is someone you need to be at peace with, forgive, for that thorn in your side robs you of saltiness and peace? Dear Lord, shine the light of your Spirit on my heart my heart today and show if there be any evil way in me.
On the Way to Wonder 