Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/383



I. As  salt  preserves  from  corruption  and  putrefaction, so is  it  the  part  of  all  apostolical  men,  to  preserve  souls from the  corruption  of  sin,  and  to  render  the  exercise  of virtue  palatable  and  agreeable  to  them. These men, then, ought  to  be  pure  and  refined  from  all  the  dross  and alloy of  earthly  passion  by  the  influence  of  Divine charity, in  order  that  they  may  be  such  themselves  as they  wish  to  make  others.

II. How effectually  did  Christ  our  Redeemer  and Saviour produce  the  effect  of  salt  on  us! To purge  us and  preserve  us  from  sin,  He  spent  Himself  entirely  on us,  and  melting  away  like  salt,  He  communicated  to  our actions (which  of  themselves  were  insipid),  the  Divine flavor of  His  precious  merits. Besides, by  His  example and doctrine,  He  has  rendered  trials  and  crosses  and persecutions, which  of  themselves  are  difficult  to  be  supported, agreeable  and  palatable. Season all  your  actions with this  salt;  apply  the  words  of  Leviticus  in  a  spiritual sense, "Whatsoever  sacrifice  thou  offerest,  thou  shalt season  it  with  salt"  (Lev.  ii.  13),  that  is  with  the  merits and example  of  Christ.

III. " But  if  the  salt  lose  its  savor,  it  is  then  good,  for nothing,  but  to  be  cast  out,  and  to  be  trodden  on  by men." (Matt. v.  13.)  In  this  manner  will  God  treat those, whose  duty  it  is,  to  watch  over  the  morals  of others  and  teach  them  virtue,  if  they  neglect  their  duty. Their example  and  doctrine  should  have  a  Divine  efficacy to season  the  lives  of  others,  but  pride,  vain  glory  and  love