The Salt which had lost its taste

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 10th Week -  Tuesday*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 5:13-16*

*First Reading - 2 Cor 1:18-22*

*The Salt which had lost its taste*

*If the salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.*

*1) Salt with its taste*

We know how important the salt is. In every house, in every dish, and every function, the salt has its role to play 

If there is no salt, there is no taste for anything. The salt which adds a special taste to any item, is wonderful and it can't be explained easily 

There is no person who has grumbled about the taste of the salt. At times people may say that the salt is more for this or that item. But no one will complain about the taste of the salt. That is something special about the taste of the salt

*2) Does salt loses its saltiness?*

Salt itself, sodium chloride (NaCl), is extremely stable and cannot lose its flavour. 

Usually it is believed that Salt can't lose its saltines. 

We hardly see the salt, which had lost its taste. Salt may be diluted in the water, but it does not lose its taste 

*3) What is the meaning of losing of the saltines of the Salt?*

The most common explanation may be that the salt in that era was quite impure, containing a wide array (an impressive display) of other compounds. 

Secondly the salt diluted with water, if it is exposed to moisture the Sodium Chloride would disappear leaving a white powder looking just like salt, but not having its flavour or its preservative abilities.

For some purposes gypsum (Some white material)  was added to salt, but this would erase its flavour and make it unfit for consumption.

In simple words, a salt which is contaminated with, dirty water, poisonous chemical, and other harmful things for life can not be used. So such salt loses its saltiness for us, since we can't use it for our purpose

*4) God has created us like salt*

When Jesus says that *you are the salt of the Earth* simply means, our life is like salt. 

Like salt, we have tremendous capacity. Easily we can't lose our saltiness of life. 

Since salt is useful for everything, we are useful for everything. 

Since salt adds taste to everything, we are created to add taste to every aspect of our life and also to our neighbors life. 

*5) Have I lost the saltiness of my life*

A SALT which has lost its saltiness can't be used. It is only thrown out 

Like wise a life which has lost its life's saltiness becomes useless. It is only used for throwing out and not for anything else

So the question is have I lost the saltiness of my life? 

*6) Things which causes to lose the saltiness of my life*

My ego and pride 

My anger and selfishness 

My hidden motives and self centred attitude

My revengeful thoughts, lack of commitment and faithfulness, jealousy, greed for things and worldly pleasure, desire for power, Money, wealth and possessions etc 

All the above mentioned things result in losing the saltiness of my life

*What is the taste of my life?*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*