Theme: WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!
- Isaiah 58:7-10;
- Psalm 111:4-9. R/ v. 4;
- 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
- Matthew 5:13-16
1. Today is the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Year A. The readings today tell us that we are the light of the world! The readings of the past two Sundays tell us that Jesus is the light of the world! Thus the Gospel Acclamation today:
“I am the light of the world, says the Lord, anyone who follows me will have the light of life.” (Jn 8:12; Sunday Missal (SM))
The readings today tell us that we are the light of the world! Thus we read in the gospel today:
“You are the light of the world. …. Your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5: 14. 16; SM)
That is, we are the light of the world by doing good deeds, because seeing our good deeds; others will believe in God our Father and give praise to Him!
2. The first reading follows the theme of the gospel. The first reading tells us to practice justice and charity, that is, to help the poor and the needy, and to free the oppressed and the exploited! By practicing justice and charity our light will shine like the dawn and the noon! Thus we read in the first reading:
“Thus says the Lord: Share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, clothe the man you see to be naked and turn not from your own kin. Then will your light shine like the dawn …. If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist, the wicked word, if you give your bread to the hungry, and relief to the oppressed, your light will rise in the darkness, and your shadows become like noon.” (Is 58:7. 8a. 9b-10; SM)
3. The responsorial psalm follows the theme of the first reading. The responsorial psalm also tells us to practice justice and charity and our light will shine in the darkness! Thus we responded three times:
“The good man is a light in the darkness for the upright.” (Ps 111:4; SM)
Thus we read in the first and third stanzas:
“He is a light in the darkness for the upright: he is generous, merciful and just. The good man takes pity and lends, he conducts his affairs with honor. (First stanza; vv. 4-5; SM) With a steadfast heart he will not fear; open-handed, he gives to the poor; his justice stands firm for ever. …. (Third stanza; vv. 8-9; SM)”
4. The second reading tells us to preach only Jesus and to preach Jesus only as the crucified Christ, because only in the crucified Christ is there the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the power of God! And it is only in the power of God that we can be the light of the world! It is only in the power of God that we can do good works, and practice justice and charity, that is, help the poor and the needy, and free the oppressed and the exploited!
Thus we read in the second reading:
“During my stay with you, the only knowledge I claimed to have was about Jesus, and only about him as the crucified Christ. …. In my speeches and the sermons that I gave, there were none of the arguments that belong to philosophy; only a demonstration of the power of the Spirit. And I did this so that your faith should not depend on human philosophy but on the power of God.” (1 Co 2:2. 4-5; SM)
It is most important that we come to Mass every Sunday, because the Mass makes present, real and effective the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the power of God! And it is only in the power of God that we can be the light of the world! It is only in the power of God that we can do good works, and practice justice and charity, that is, help the poor and needy, and free the oppressed and exploited! God bless you! Amen!
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