the flavor that took over the world
"You are the salt of the earth. But what if salt goes flat? How can you restore its flavor? Then it is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." —Matthew 5:13
We who are Christians are the salt of the earth. That means we give flavor to life. The everyday activities of life are often laborious. We make our living by the sweat of our brow (Gn 3:19). "Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! What profit has man from all the labor which he toils at under the sun?" (Eccl 1:2-3) Life is often uneventful, boring, and drab. The lives of many people are in great need of seasoning.
Over two thousand years ago, God became man and lived in our human condition. He gave a divine flavor to our human existence, especially through His death and Resurrection. He then made it possible for us to be baptized into Him (see Rm 6:3). Thus, in Jesus, we take on that unique flavor which makes life worth living. In Jesus and through Jesus' disciples in His Church, everyday life tastes great. Christians can make manual labor tangy and human relationships zesty. Flavored with Christianity, even the most difficult aspects of life have a "full-bodied flavor."
Live your Baptism into Jesus. Be flavorful as He is. Make life deliciously delightful.
Prayer: Father, make me the flavor of Christ in a very pronounced way.
Promise: "God is the One Who firmly establishes us along with you in Christ; it is He Who anointed us and has sealed us, thereby depositing the first Payment, the Spirit, in our hearts." —2 Cor 1:21-22
Praise: St. Anthony defended the Franciscan vision against those who would have weakened it.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Baptismal Promises, order, listen to or download our series starting with CD 83-1 or DVD 83 on our website or order our tape series starting with audio AV 83-1 or video V-83.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 22, 2017
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