Ministry
From the Minister’s Desk:
ST. STEPHEN’S ICE MELTERS
February 2012
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?” (Matthew 5:13)
Two things seem to be prominent in our south Ontario winter season. Snow is one of these. We’re usually be buried in it by mid-January. Everybody will do their share of complaining about it. Only a few of us will travel to points south to get away from it. In response to too much snow, our communities offer up the other prominent element – salt. We’ll complain about, too, as it leads to premature rusted cars and soiled leather boots, but also something we won’t do without as a safety feature in our mobile lifestyle.
Salt minimizes the dangers and effects of snow and ice on our sidewalks and roads. It’s an important part of our winter. But just as rock salt makes our winter travel possible, so we Christians make an important impact in our community, as salt of the world. When Jesus compared his followers to salt in the Sermon on the Mount, he probably didn’t know of its ability to melt ice and snow. He was thinking more of flavouring and preserving food.
But it’s an interesting use of the image of salt to see how we, who follow his teaching today, are an important force in the relief of the cold world’s icy attitude. When the world is cold toward someone, remember, we can be the agents that make the difference and warm up someone’s life. No matter how cold this season becomes, do not let your saltiness be lost but rather use the Lord’s spirit in you to make his light shine and warm those around you.
“You are the salt of the earth.”
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