Sunday, February 6, 2005
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Isaiah 58:7-10
Let your light shine on all people

Thus says the Lord:

Fast by sharing your food with the hungry, bring to your house the homeless, clothe the one you see naked and do not turn away from your own kin.
Then will your light will break forth as the dawn and your healing come in a flash.
Your righteousness will be your vanguard, the Glory of Yahweh your rearguard.
Then you will call and Yahweh will answer, you will cry and he will say, I am here.

If you remove from your midst the yoke, the clenched fist and the wicked word, if you share your food with the hungry and give relief to the oppressed, then your light will rise in the dark, your night will be like noon.

2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
I bear witness to the crucified Christ

When I came, my brothers and sisters, to reveal to you the mystery of God's plan I did not count on eloquence or on a show of learning. I was determined not to know anything among you but Jesus, the Messiah, and a crucified Messiah. I myself came weak, fearful and trembling; my words and preaching were not brilliant or clever to win listeners. It was, rather, a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might be a matter, not of human wisdom, but of God's power.

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16
Salt and light of the world

Jesus said to his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its strength, how can it be made salty again? It has become useless. It can only be thrown away and people will trample on it.

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a mountain cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and covers it; instead it is put on a lampstand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before others, so that they may see the good you do and praise your Father in heaven."

Commentary

WE are told what we are-salt of the earth, light for the world, those who show forth the Father's goodness to others so that they come to praise our Father. How? Isaiah reminds us: Share our bread with the hungry, provide shelter and dignity, care for our own-be compassionate, enlarge the boundaries of our justice and care for others and our light will break forth like the dawn! And in so doing we will be healed, our prayers heard and God will be near us. But we must be on guard not to lose our saltiness-not to resist or take the Word of God for granted or to let our light go out-or lost in the world's false brightness, as the stars cannot be seen because of the lights of a city dimming their sight. We, together, and separately must practice justice and be holy if we are the beloved children of our Father.

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