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for June 11, 2024

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06-11-2024 Matthew 5 V1316 Earth’s salt taste lost

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The Book of Matthew 5 v-13 thru 16

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if 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. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. 16 Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

This verse is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus uses various metaphors to describe the characteristics and responsibilities of His followers. Here, salt is used symbolically to convey several important aspects of the Christian life:

1. Preservation: In ancient times, salt was primarily used as a preservative to prevent food from spoiling. By calling His followers the "salt of the earth," Jesus is suggesting that Christians play a crucial role in preserving goodness and preventing moral decay in the world. They are meant to uphold and promote values that counteract the corruption and sin present in society.

2. Flavor: Salt also adds flavor to food, making it more enjoyable and palatable. Similarly, Christians are called to bring the "flavor" of God's love, grace, and truth to the world. Their presence should enhance and positively impact the lives of those around them, making the world a better place through acts of kindness, compassion, and righteousness.

3. Purity: Salt was also seen as a symbol of purity in ancient cultures. By being the salt of the earth, Christians are called to live pure and holy lives, reflecting the purity and holiness of God. They are to be distinct from the world, standing out as examples of moral integrity and spiritual authenticity.

The second part of the verse, "But if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot," serves as a warning. In the natural world, salt is a stable compound and doesn't lose its saltiness. However, if it were to become mixed with impurities or contaminants, it would lose its effectiveness.

In a spiritual sense, this means that if Christians fail to live out their faith—if they become complacent, compromise their values, or blend in with the moral corruption of the world—they lose their distinctiveness and effectiveness. Such believers are no longer fulfilling their God-given purpose and, as a result, become "good for nothing" in their role as salt. They lose their ability to positively influence the world and may be disregarded or marginalized, symbolized by being "thrown out and trampled underfoot." We pray today that you never become thrown out and trampled underfoot. Stay steadfast and live for the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20

06-11-2024 Matthew 5 1316

**Salt of the Earth**

In faith's pure light, we walk the narrow way,

As salt of earth, our purpose clear and bright,

To season lives with truth and hope each day,

And guard against the shadows of the night.

Yet salt that loses taste is soon forgot,

Its essence gone, its value cast aside,

For what is salt if flavor it has not?

A thing discarded, trampled, and denied.

So let us keep our fervor ever strong,

Preserving all that's good with love and grace,

In Christ, our strength, we find where we belong,

And through His power, we hold our sacred place.

With every step, let's honor heaven's call,

A beacon shining in a world of strife,

For in His name, our purpose stands for all,

As salt of earth, we bring eternal life. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

June 11, 2024 @ 06:50 AM EST

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