Speak with a Little Salt

I like to cook, so I find myself watching a lot of cooking shows. I used to use cookbooks, but now after so many years I have learned how different spices work together to bring a delicious flavor to food. I have never used or seen a recipe that does not include salt. Even baking a sweet cake requires a dash of salt. Salt brings all flavors to a higher level and distinction. The same is true with our words.

Brethren, conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one. Tychicos will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimos, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place. Aristarchos my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions if he comes to you, receive him), and Jesus who is called Justos. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brethren at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippos, “See that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my fetters. Grace be with you. Amen. Colossians 4:5-11,14-18

One (of the many I must admit) problem I have with our modern society is the trend to sugar coat everything. Workers are not supposed to be criticized but praised with encouragement to a higher level. Students no longer feel the burning effect of a failing grade. Instead, they are praised for their effort, even when effort is not sufficient.

Even in Church, we are expected to sing praises to everyone to avoid them leaving for another Church. This might be the most dangerous trend of sugar coating. In today’s lesson from Saint Paul we hear, “Let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt.” Being gracious doesn’t mean sugar coating. It means speaking with love that we are all in need of repentance.

Sometimes we get things wrong. That doesn’t make us bad. It makes us human. When we aren’t taught by our spiritual father that we were wrong in the first place, we are unable to correct our behavior. If all we get is praise, we risk never have the blessing of getting it right.

On the other hand, when our spiritual father speaks with grace, and a little salt, we can better hear where we went wrong and where we need to improve. Back to cooking for a minute. Every good chef tastes the food along the way. Nobody waits until dinner is served to see if it needs salt.

A good spiritual father will help us understand our missteps along the way. At the same time, a good spiritual father will not ‘pour out’ the salt over our head. Even french fries can have too much salt. Saint Paul was an expert at speaking gracefully with a little salt. He never backed away from correcting us, while also soothing us in our pain. If only every spiritual father loved us as much as Saint Paul.