PASS THE SALT?

“Everyone will be salted with fire.” –Mark 9:49

Mass Readings: February 23
First: Isaiah 1:10,16-20;Resp: Psalm 50:8-9,16-17,21,23;Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus says that you and I “will be salted with fire” (Mk 9:49). The scriptural uses for salt reveal several possible meanings:

• Salt was used to seal a covenant (2 Chr 13:5; Lv 2:13). We need to continually be sprinkled with the salt of the purifying, refining fire of repentance (Mal 3:2-3) to be faithful to our baptismal covenant with the Lord.
  Incense was “to be salted and so kept pure and sacred” (Ex 30:35). Incense represents our prayers (Rv 5:8; 8:3-4). Our life of prayer must be salted with God’s consuming fire (Heb 12:29) of love to be “kept pure and sacred.”
• “Every…offering that you present to the Lord shall be seasoned with salt” (Lv 2:13). We offer our bodies to God as living sacrifices (Rm 12:1). Physical sacrifices such as fasting and self-denial are like sprinklings of fire which help us to be pure and avoid hell (Mk 9:43ff). This kind of salt purifies and preserves from death (see 2 Kgs 2:21).
• Salt preserves (Tb 6:6) and flavors (Jb 6:6). Paradoxically, a sprinkling of fire, which should destroy us, can actually preserve that in us which is worthy (see 1 Cor 3:12-15).

“You are the salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13). Get fired up!

PRAYER: Father, don’t just sprinkle me with fire; set me aflame with Your love.
PROMISE: “Keep salt in your hearts and you will be at peace with one another.” –Mk 9:50
PRAISE: St. Polycarp, a disciple of the original apostles, was burned at the stake for his faith in Jesus.