But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored?

[awan3]

Hi everyone,

I’m writing because I have a friend who is struggling with his faith, in that he feels he has little zeal for God and his relationship with Him is quite distant – he has days where he can bring himself to pray, but then his motivation fades as quickly as it came and he will go days without having any desire to pray. The situation is complex but I will cut to the chase. He is particularly bothered by one verse in Matthew:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.”

I admit, I have been a little uncomfortable with this verse before as well but have not spent the time to “hash it out” with the Lord in prayer and meditation. I guess it all depends on how you define “salt”, but it seems to say that if you lose your zeal for or faith in God, it’s “impossible” for that zeal/faith to be restored and therefore if you lose your zeal/faith then you’re good for nothing and are basically going to hell (to put it bluntly).

Of course, intuitively, I know this interpretation is wrong. But how do we answer the question that Christ poses: “…how shall its saltness be restored?” He never answers His own question…perhaps it’s meant to just be rhetorical…but what if it was a serious question? **Is it possible to restore it once is has been lost? ** Is it possible to fully lose it?

I suddenly thought of Matthew 19:26 “…with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

But are there any other thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Eucharisted]

Salt, in Judaism, means purity and wisdom. Jews were required to salt the earth with Judaism. Jesus, being Jesus, is speaking about multiple things at once. He is saying that those who lose their purity can’t get it back, so they should be chaste, and He saying that the Church must preserve wisdom, as the pillar of truth, or else where else will wisdom come if not from God through His Church, and He is saying that Catholics must make the world better by preaching the Gospel through their works, prayers, sufferings, joys, words, and thoughts. In summary, Jesus is telling to adhere by the words “Thy Kingdom come!”

 

[StrawberryJam]

I think salt is used in baptism also. It is a restoration into the family of God to be baptised.

Oil is used also I think. I watched it a few times now, and I am fairly certain that is the right method they use.

 

[Earnest_Bunbury]

Salt devoid of flavor, like a lack of belief, is good for nothing. There is a finality in this. We are not this salt though, unless we are finally impenitent. We have faith that penetrates to the true value of creation and is proof of the God we worship and it gives us hope even though we see as through a veil.

Salt, like grace perfecting nature, complements and brings out natural flavor. Devoid of this flavor, our nature is left to its own devices and lacks the depth needed to penetrate into the logos of what we see or experience. Faith is the beginning, and the proof of this faith is the participation of the true value of creation.

 

[awan3]

Salt, in Judaism, means purity and wisdom. Jews were required to salt the earth with Judaism. Jesus, being Jesus, is speaking about multiple things at once. He is saying that those who lose their purity can’t get it back, so they should be chaste, and He saying that the Church must preserve wisdom, as the pillar of truth, or else where else will wisdom come if not from God through His Church, and He is saying that Catholics must make the world better by preaching the Gospel through their works, prayers, sufferings, joys, words, and thoughts. In summary, Jesus is telling to adhere by the words “Thy Kingdom come!”

Hi Eucharisted, thanks for the response. I will think about this more…

but my issue isn’t to do with the definition of “salt”…my issue with this passage is specifically “…how shall its saltness be restored?” Jesus seems to ask a futile question and suggest that saltness can never be restored (because He goes on to say that “it is good for nothing but to be trampled upon by men”)…so if saltness can never be restored, and we lose “saltness” (where salt can mean whatever you want – wisdom, purity, etc.), then it seems that He’s saying that if we lose wisdom/purity/etc. it’s hopeless and we’re essentially damned forever.

So…can someone answer for me how saltness can be restored?

The only answer I can think of at this point is what I’ve already mentioned – that is Matthew 19:26 “…with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

But then if by God’s power, saltness CAN be restored, why does Jesus imply that it can’t, by saying “It is good for nothing…”? Why not say something like: You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored but by earnestly petitioning the Father? – followed by something like: But if those who have lost their saltness do not desire to restore its taste, they are “no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.”

I’m sorry if I am talking myself into circles…but do you understand the predicament I am trying to communicate?

 

[StrawberryJam]

Hi Eucharisted, thanks for the response. I will think about this more…

but my issue isn’t to do with the definition of “salt”…my issue with this passage is specifically “…how shall its saltness be restored?” Jesus seems to ask a futile question and suggest that saltness can never be restored (because He goes on to say that “it is good for nothing but to be trampled upon by men”)…so if saltness can never be restored, and we lose “saltness” (where salt can mean whatever you want – wisdom, purity, etc.), then it seems that He’s saying that if we lose wisdom/purity/etc. it’s hopeless and we’re essentially damned forever.

So…can someone answer for me how saltness can be restored?

The only answer I can think of at this point is what I’ve already mentioned – that is Matthew 19:26 “…with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

But then if by God’s power, saltness CAN be restored, why does Jesus imply that it can’t, by saying “It is good for nothing…”? Why not say something like: You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored but by earnestly petitioning the Father? – followed by something like: But if those who have lost their saltness do not desire to restore its taste, they are “no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.”

I’m sorry if I am talking myself into circles…but do you understand the predicament I am trying to communicate?

No, I don’t understand you reading too much into this.

He does not state that there is no restoration possible. One can not extract that from the text without doing gross injustice to it.

Stop and ask yourself what can or should be restored and how can it be.

 

[awan3]

Salt devoid of flavor, like a lack of belief, is good for nothing. There is a finality in this. We are not this salt though, unless we are finally impenitent.

thanks, i thought this, but i needed to have it confirmed by another

 

[awan3]

He does not state that there is no restoration possible. One can not extract that from the text without doing gross injustice to it.

You’re right, he doesn’t explicitly state that there is no restoration possible, but do you not feel that the way the text is written, it implies that no restoration is possible?

Like I suggested, if restoration were possible, why wouldn’t He say something like: You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored but by earnestly petitioning the Father? – followed by something like: *But if those who have lost their saltness do not desire to restore its taste, they are *“no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.”

 

[Eucharisted]

NAB commentary on Matthew 5:13

By their deeds the disciples are to influence the world for good. They can no more escape notice than a city set on a mountain. If they fail in good works, they are as useless as flavorless salt or as a lamp whose light is concealed.

The unusual supposition of salt losing its flavor has led some to suppose that the saying refers to the salt of the Dead Sea that, because chemically impure, could lose its taste.

 

[StrawberryJam]

You’re right, he doesn’t explicitly state that there is no restoration possible, but do you not feel that the way the text is written, it implies that no restoration is possible?

Like I suggested, if restoration were possible, why wouldn’t He say something like: You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored but by earnestly petitioning the Father? – followed by something like: *But if those who have lost their saltness do not desire to restore its taste, they are *“no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.”

I told you why. Baptism. Salt is used in baptism, and that is when you are adopted into his family.

You are restored.

Now, you are baptised, you falter. You fall.

What can you do?

Confession!

The salt from your tears in confession cleanse you also.

Right? Does no one feel remorse when they confess anymore or what??

 

[Reuben_J]

Hi everyone,

Of course, intuitively, I know this interpretation is wrong. But how do we answer the question that Christ poses: “…how shall its saltness be restored?” He never answers His own question…perhaps it’s meant to just be rhetorical…but what if it was a serious question? **Is it possible to restore it once is has been lost? ** Is it possible to fully lose it?

I suddenly thought of Matthew 19:26 “…with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

But are there any other thoughts? Thanks.

Hi. Salt’s function is to change. Similarly we are commissioned by the Lord as salt of the earth and our function is to change, to transform – the earth. This commissioning comes with power. Every Christian is given it and so we are agent of change. This means that you and I are agent of change where ever we are stationed on earth.

Sometimes we do not recognize this and thought that we are useless especially when we are not practicing, not zealous in our faith or when we are not spirit-filled. By virtue of our Baptism we have literally the power to change virtually on our hands and at our disposal. Christians need to believe this, and of course this is true. Even the lowest of Christian has that power to change. Even when me makes mistake, when we sin, we approach them differently. When people see us they note us and our lives and action are implanted in their subconsciousness until a time when it activates them to change.

If it is any consolation, the verse in Mt 5:13 does not mention we lose our saltiness; it only says ‘if’ we lose our saltiness. Perhaps to Jesus losing our saltiness is not a question but rather to make use of the saltiness to serve its purpose.

However if we lose our saltiness then we will be subjected to be changed by men according to their philosophy; we will be trampled, overwhelmed and influenced by them and we become like them and so lose our Christian identity and our power.

So rightly when we lose the power; when we lose our saltiness, what shall we do to regain it? The answer is very simple – go back to the One who gives us the saltiness in the first place. Someone mention confession – by all means. On top of everything else, ask. Ask God for the Holy Spirit because this is one request that can never be refused. (Luke 11) That’s why the saltiness is never to be meant to lose. The Holy Spirit empowers us and gives us strength – and sure enough we regain our saltiness.

Ask for the Holy Spirit – say, “Lord, pour your Holy Spirit upon me and make me salty again”. You can challenge God if he does not give you – he promised it, “what more the Father in heaven, who will give you the Holy Spirit when you ask”(verse 13).

God bless.

 

[geometer]

If you can not taste salt, then you are suffering from salt depletion. You then should eat more of the salt until you can taste the saltiness of it again.

You should certainly not throw the salt out, because you can die from lack of salt…

 

[thistle]

Hi everyone,

I’m writing because I have a friend who is struggling with his faith, in that he feels he has little zeal for God and his relationship with Him is quite distant – he has days where he can bring himself to pray, but then his motivation fades as quickly as it came and he will go days without having any desire to pray. The situation is complex but I will cut to the chase. He is particularly bothered by one verse in Matthew:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.”

I admit, I have been a little uncomfortable with this verse before as well but have not spent the time to “hash it out” with the Lord in prayer and meditation. I guess it all depends on how you define “salt”, but it seems to say that if you lose your zeal for or faith in God, it’s “impossible” for that zeal/faith to be restored and therefore if you lose your zeal/faith then you’re good for nothing and are basically going to hell (to put it bluntly).

Of course, intuitively, I know this interpretation is wrong. But how do we answer the question that Christ poses: “…how shall its saltness be restored?” He never answers His own question…perhaps it’s meant to just be rhetorical…but what if it was a serious question? **Is it possible to restore it once is has been lost? ** Is it possible to fully lose it?

I suddenly thought of Matthew 19:26 “…with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

But are there any other thoughts? Thanks.

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary on Matthew 5:13

Ver. 13. The former instructions Jesus Christ gave to the multitude. Now he addresses his apostles, styling them the salt of the earth, meant to preserve men from the corruption of sin, and to make them relish the truths of salvation. He tells them not to suffer their faith or their charity to slacken, in which all their power consists, lest they come to be rejected by God, and despised by man. (Calmet) — I send you, says Jesus Christ, not to two, ten, or twenty cities, not to one single nation, as the prophets were sent, but to the whole world, a world oppressed with numberless iniquities. It is not the property of salt to restore what is already corrupted, but to preserve from corruption. Therefore the virtue of the merits of Christ delivers us from the corruption of sin; but the care and labour of the apostles preserves us from again returning to it. (St. Chrysostom, hom. xv.) — It appears from Luke xiv. 34, that this comparison is taken from agriculture. We observe these properties of salt in the different manures that fertilize the soil, but suffer the salts to evaporate, and all their virtue is lost. (Haydock)

 

[Earnest_Bunbury]

You’re right, he doesn’t explicitly state that there is no restoration possible, but do you not feel that the way the text is written, it implies that no restoration is possible?

Like I suggested, if restoration were possible, why wouldn’t He say something like: You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored but by earnestly petitioning the Father? – followed by something like: *But if those who have lost their saltness do not desire to restore its taste, they are *“no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.”

It is wrong to add into a text what isn’t there, even if the totality of the teaching is more to the fullness of truth. We undermine the text and empty it of its power to teach when we don’t accept it as it is. It is sure that elsewhere in the Bible it is said we can and will be forgiven, this is explicit in these verses:

Matthew 8:7 And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him.

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works.

Colossians 1:20 And through him to reconcile all things unto himself, making peace through the blood of his cross, both as to the things that are on earth, and the things that are in heaven.

and of course: John 20:23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

The finality of impenitence as seen in salt being good for nothing is mirrored in:

John 8:24 Therefore I said to you, that you shall die in your sins. For if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sin.

Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, shall never have forgiveness, but shall be guilty of an everlasting sin.

It is the Church that has authority to reveal the hierarchy of value to which the Mercy of God is set against His Justice. Too much in either direction leads to a loss of the sense of sin or to the loss of the sense of hope. It would seem being correct in knowing God’s will in this assessment is important. Our prejudice toward one and against the other should be negated in a desire for the truth.

 

[Mintaka]

Okay, everybody, relax and look at the rhetorical statement.

Think about similar stuff that Jesus said. “If this is what they do when the wood is green, what shall they do when it is dry?” What He means is, “If people do crud like this when the times are good and the Messiah is RIGHT UNDER THEIR NOSES, what will they do when REALLY hard times come?”

(And since there were people eating babies and killing themselves and fun stuff like that when Jerusalem was besieged, it was a very sharp rhetorical question.)

But the point of the rhetorical question was, “Man, this is some seriously cruddy stuff some of you folks are doing.”

Okay. So the basic idea of the salt saying is, “The Church and its people are in the world to be a pinch of good, and to wake people up with its teaching. If the Church doesn’t do the right thing, who’s going to come teach the Church? Who’s going to be an example to you guys? Who’s going to wake you up?”

The answer to this rhetorical question, presumably, is that of course Jesus will always be with us, and the Holy Spirit will always be there to give us a good poke and remind us of the Gospel. There are many means of grace given us for the forgiveness of sins, and God is always ready to accept the repentant sinner.

But the point of the rhetorical question is, “So, disciples, it would be better if you didn’t mess up in the first place! Do your job, instead!”

 

[awan3]

Okay. So the basic idea of the salt saying is, “The Church and its people are in the world to be a pinch of good, and to wake people up with its teaching. If the Church doesn’t do the right thing, who’s going to come teach the Church? Who’s going to be an example to you guys? Who’s going to wake you up?”

Excellent, thanks Mintaka! I never considered this before – that He could also be referring to the Church as a whole instead of or in addition to individual Christians.

Thanks everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut and comments!! (especially Geometer and Reuben J.)