Photo by Faran Raufi on Unsplash

We conducted interesting science experiments in grade school. One time, we studied bread mold under a microscope. Some students were a little grossed out, but most of us were curious to see the growth. The teacher asked for moldy bread by the end of the week, but I brought mine in the very next day. Yes, my family had a moldy bread basket at home.

We had a habit of letting food go bad. Sorry to spoil our family’s dirty secrets! It wasn’t my mom’s fault, as she was allergic to wheat. My siblings and I weren’t the best at cleaning out the bread pantry. I think most of that responsibility fell on me, as I ate the most bread. Well, God brings a good out of anything. Now I had a chance to put the moldy bread to good use.

My classmates wondered how quickly I made moldy bread. I became embarrassed.  I realized that most people do not have a moldy bread basket. I did not confess to the class my bad food habits, but my teacher was eager to work on the experiment right away. I think it went well. There were certain science lessons we learned. In all honesty, I couldn’t remember them. I took away a measure of humility.

In contrast, Jesus proclaims that we are the salt of the earth. That is a great responsibility—for salt gives flavor, and it preserves and protects. When I look inside myself, I don’t always live out this call. Sometimes I feel like moldy bread: yucky and stinky. On certain days I don’t make things better. And oftentimes I fail to be a protector of my heart and those I love. I know it can be hard with all of life’s daily challenges, temptations, and sufferings. Food gone bad, salt that loses its taste, how can it be recovered? But if it loses its taste, what is it good for? Yet Jesus reminds us not to lose hope. He brings a good out of anything, remember?

We can be the salt of the earth. Jesus can make something tasty with our moldy bread—something gone bad to something very good. We have the gift of reconciliation to recover the saltiness in our life. We have the Eucharist to preserve our love of God and fellow neighbors. And we have Holy Scripture to protect us against harm. “O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8).

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