Colossians 4:6  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Just as God directed that holy incense be salted, Paul advises the Church at Colossae to season their words to one another with salt. In keeping with our reflections upon how salt is used to purify and consecrate relationships, these gracious words are hospitable words. Rather than saying what we may initially think we need to say, our gracious seasoned speech invites others to speak, as well, and u to listen, "so that you know how you ought to answer each person."

Hospitality in speech, or in general, is a deeply Christian, deeply human act. Abraham welcoming the three strangers, Mary and Martha welcoming Christ, Christ washing the feet of his disciples - all of these are acts of hospitality that help us to understand the character of this speech. Mary and Joseph, as they journey to Bethlehem, however, find the inn full and the town unable to welcome them into any comfort. Let us then continue to prepare our hearts and season our speech with salt so that they are gracious and welcoming to each person who comes before us.

Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,