Salt in ancient times was more than just a condiment. It was used as a form of payment, hence our word salary. Even slaves came to be paid with salt crystals. Extracting it was complicated and we need centuries until we can separate it from other minerals that corrupt it and have it in a purer form. Salt was a treasure. Jesus said that his followers, those who were willing to be despised by the world (Mt. 5:11), are the salt of the earth. We are the salt for which the son of God paid a high price, we are the treasure of the Father.
The Holy Spirit changed our corrupt nature for one that must prevent corruption in the world. We are as uncomfortable as necessary. Salt has a vital but silent task, which operates from the inside out. A work similar to that of the Holy Spirit,whose results are visible but its process is not evident to the human eye. But salt must avoid contaminating itself with other minerals that alter its flavor and function at all costs. If this happens it is better not to buy or throw it away. Someone may also get salt in its purest form, and to prevent it from being contaminated with other substances, never decide to open the package. Salt does not come out by osmosis, it must be placed on what you want to season or preserve, there must be direct contact. A polluted Christian does not serve, and neither does a vacuum-packed Christian. The self-indulgence (or self-indulgence) of these sinful habits is the same to the believer as the presence of other minerals in salt. And if a believer lives locked in his holy bubble, then how will he know what he has to preserve?.
The light thing is another topic. Living in a country with about 1700 hours of annual sunshine ( 1200 less than Madrid or 1500 less than Arizona ) makes you appreciate sunlight even more. Light is life, it is joy, it is energy, but it also reveals what we would rather keep in ignorance, our shame. Christ is the light of men, they are believers they are called to be. Christ was rejected because the works of men were evil, believers are in the same position. We live in a time when those of us who have the audacity to follow Christ are asked to remain silent, not uncomfortable, go against our nature. ¿How will we respond?
« … I stand firm in the scriptures that I have adopted as my guide. My conscience is a prisoner of the Word of God, and I cannot and do not want to revoke anything recognizing that it is not safe or correct to act against conscience. God help me. Amen » Martin Luther, Worms 1521.
