The Brown Book Commentaries

“For everyone will be salted with Fire and every sacrifice will be cleansed with Salt.
Salt is good, and yet when salt loses its taste, how can one restore its saltiness? Have Salt
in your selves by being at peace with one another.” ~ Jesus (Mark 9:49-50)
First & foremost, it is crucial to realize that ―fire‖ was seen by Jesus (and many others of his
day) as a purifying agent, not a punishing one – a fact that was intimated by John the Baptist when
he noted that Jesus‘ spiritual teaching (i.e. his ―baptism‖) was going to come not via water but ―in
the Holy Spirit and fire‖ (see Matthew 3:11 & Luke 3:16). And it is good that this is indeed the
case, for otherwise Jesus would come across as far less than Loving (and actually quite hypocritical)
when he said ―I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!‖ (Luke
12:49) … Second, please note that ―salt‖ was a highly valuable agent of purification & preservation
in Jesus‘ day. Salt was used to cleanse burnt offerings (Leviticus 2:13 et al) and salt was used to
preserve food (the metaphorical sustenance of the Soul) … Third, note that the final phrase of this
verse admonishes us all to ―have salt in yourselves (i.e. be internally purified by thoughts of
gratitude and humility) and be at peace with one another (i.e. be externally purified via selfless acts
of Love).‖ Remember, Jesus came to bring a message of repentance – the Greek word metanoia
(Strong‘s #3340) that meant not self-criticism or self-judgment, but rather a radical change in
behavior; a change that first requires that we undergo a painful cleansing process. It hurts
immensely to let go of fear & desire; it hurts immensely to let go of the arrogance & the intolerance
that makes us feel special; it hurts immensely to set aside our certainty in our own personal salvation
and adopt a stance of purposeful humility instead (see Matthew 18:3-4). Indeed it ―hurts like Hell‖
to do so – even though to do so is the only way to enter Jesus‘ Kingdom of Heaven (see John 13:15-
17 & John 15:1-6). Indeed, we can only know true Peace ourselves once we choose to make
powerful Peace with others (see John 5:28-29) … Fourth, note that even Paul inadvertently ―got it‖
in this regard, when he said -- ―For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been
laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay, straw – the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will
disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has
done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. If the
work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; though the builder will still be saved, but only as
through fire‖ (1 Corinthians 3 11:15) … As such, let us all ―be salted with Fire‖ – the great
cleansing that comes from being deathly afraid and yet reaching out to Love the source of our fear –
of being steeped in desire and yet reaching out to give to another that for which we most yearn.
―Mockery and cruelty work hand in hand with evil …
They are the vapor-thin voices urging us to be who we are not.‖ ~ anonymous
And what are the hidden forms of mockery? Gossip that attacks another‘s reputation – and
sarcasm that attacks another‘s dignity – and passive-aggressive insincerity that attacks another‘s
sense of worth – and callous criticism that attacks another‘s inner calm … And what are the hidden
forms of cruelty? Non-veganism that rationalizes barbaric cruelty towards the innocent – and
religious dogma that rationalizes cold-hearted condemnation of the naïve – and pro-war
propaganda that rationalizes murder in the false name of safety – and political corruption that
rationalizes deception for the lie of ―the greater good‖ – and interactive apathy that rationalizes
becoming mere witnesses to others‘ despair … Though our ego-based ―reptile brains‖ tempt us to
believe otherwise – tempt us to believe that we are ―only human,‖ and thus fated to sink into
periods of selfishness & lack of regard for our neighbors, the Truth remains that we are always
more than our most primitive selves. The Truth remains in every moment of our lives that we are
ever able to speak openly & honestly & upliftingly; that we are always able to Care for those in
need; that we are always able to choose to Love.
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