From: WILLIAM ...
To: Fr Donald ...
Sent: Fri, 6 May, 2011 20:50:42
Subject: Re: [Blog] PS. Christian 'definition' of salt
Dear Father Donald,
PS. I think I have found an understanding of the word 'salt' that helps to explain Benedict XVI's interpretation: Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church:
"Owing to its preservative quality salt was a sign of purity and incorruptibility, esp. among the Semitic peoples. As such, it served to confirm contracts and friendship, the covenant between Jehovah and Israel on Sinai, eg., being called a 'covenant of salt' in Num 18:19. This symbolism, taken together with its seasoning properties, explains the Lord's saying "Ye are the salt of the earth' (Mt 5:13, cf also Mk 9:50), where the salt represents Christian wisdom and integrity, as also in Col 4:6. The ritual use of salt is very old and widespread. It was prescribed in the OT for every oblation (Lev 2:13) and played an important part in the sacrifices of the Greeks and Romans. The old pagan Roman custom of placing a few grains of salt on the lips of an infant on the 8th day after his birth to chase away the demons prob. lay behind the offering of blessed salt to catechumens which formerly formed part of the RC rite of Baptism. Salt may also be used for the preparation of holy water."
This thus becomes another wonderful example of how Jesus applied the customs, traditions, and the understanding of the day, to interpret and explain the depth of meaning in his teaching.
Needless to say, this has fascinated me!
... in Our Risen Lord,
William
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