The Word of Life

 

On 13th May 2025 [VM 5]

Meditating the Words of Jesus from Holy Scriptures 

Lord, make us humble, faithful and trustworthy till the end of our life.

 

13 ‘You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing and can only be thrown out to be trampled under people’s feet. [1]

Jesus is teaching us, that we are the salt of the earth. Salt is considered goes into all kind of the food preparation and it gives the taste. It’s a symbol of purity, loyalty, faithfulness, love, mercy and compassion and such people will be the foundation of the Kingdom of God. Lord needs such faithful servants not the masters to serve his people on earth. Here the earth he considers whole humanity, the people of God, to serve them like a shepherd looking after his flocks. Salt considers bring peace on earth, such kind of people are peace makers. For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is a good thing, but if salt has become insipid, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.’ [2]Mk 9: 49.

 

 How St. Paul became the salt of the earth? He was considered the enemy of the Church became a insipid, but Lord, brought him back to become the real salt to the earth. St. Paul was gone through a great conversion and became the greatest apostle for His Kingdom. It happened that while he was travelling to Damascus and approaching the city, suddenly a light from heaven shone all round him. 4 He fell to the ground, and then he heard a voice saying, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 5 ‘Who are you, Lord?’ he asked, and the answer came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ 7The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless, for though they heard the voice they could see no one. St Paul got conversion as he met Jesus on the road to Damascus But Judas, he could not become a loyal friend to our Lord, he lost the real value of the salt, the faithfulness, loyalty, trustworthy, love and compassion. He betrayed Jesus but could not repent for his sin, he lost the real purpose his life. He hanged himself and lost his life. Judas betrayed Jesus, he told the Jews and soldiers: ‘The one I kiss, he is the man. Arrest him.’ 49 So he went up to Jesus at once and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi,’ and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, ‘My friend, do what you are here for.’ Then they came forward, seized Jesus, and arrested him[3]. Judas told the priests from whom he took money for betraying Jesus. Saying, ‘I have sinned. I have betrayed innocent blood.’ They replied, ‘What is that to us? That is your concern.’ 5 And flinging down the silver pieces in the sanctuary he made off, and went and hanged himself[4]Mt 27: 4-5(NJB) Judas lost his saltiness, the faithfulness to his Master and betrayed Jesus for few silver coins, that was the value he considered for the salt, the most valuable companionship and the discipleship to the Lord, and he lost it forever, so tragic. He ended his life by hanging himself on a tree.

 

 

[1] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Mt 5:13). New York: Doubleday.

[2] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Mk 9:49–50). New York: Doubleday.

[3] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Mt 26:48–50). New York: Doubleday.

[4] The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Mt 27:4–5). New York: Doubleday.