Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Daily Office Reflection: Metaphors

Psalms (120), 121, 122, 123 * 124, 124, 126, (127); Exodus 5:1-6:1; 1Corinthians 14:20-33a,39-40; Mark 9:42-50

Jesus throws a lot of metaphors at us today. I take them as metaphors and not as literal instruction because otherwise we would be a self-inflicted limbless, tongueless and blind congregation: for who has not done something that we have not regretted?

I get caught up in the metaphor Jesus uses about salt. Salt is not only a preservative, but is also a spice used to enhance flavors. Is Jesus talking about salt in one or the other of these two different qualities of the spice? Or is he doing a "both-and" approach.

I wonder if Jesus is instructing us to preserve those parts of us (with his inner-salt) that strengthen us and thereby allow us not to stumble ourselves. And yet also to use this inner salt to enhance those parts of us that will enable others to become part of Christ's body and not be caused to stumble. For we are not called to be a closed community of believers, but a community of believers that reaches out and welcomes in all. We are called to enable people to find a safe haven where they can search and find God, and know that they are found and loved by God.
jfd+

Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

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