5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Isaiah 58:7-10
Thus says the LORD: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.
Responsorial Psalm: 112:4-5.6-7.8-9
Response: The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice. (Response)
He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. (Response)
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear. Lavishly he gives to the poor; His justice shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (Response)
Response: The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. Well for the man who is gracious and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice. (Response)
He shall never be moved; the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. (Response)
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear. Lavishly he gives to the poor; His justice shall endure forever; his horn shall be exalted in glory. (Response)
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."
Reflection: Fr. Sahaya G Selvam
The gospel reading of today, Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth… you are the light of the World” (Mt 5:13-14). What does that mean? Your light must shine in people’s sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven. Salt reminds us of taste and food. In the Scriptures, salt was also used in temple offering (Ezra 6:9), because the sacrifice that people offered was a reminder of the covenant with the God.
Taken together, then, we are called to be light of the world by being the salt of the earth. We are called to radiate an invitation to the world to be part of the reign of God, by being faithful to our own intimacy with God. And in the context of the Word of God today, we are reminded to be intimately rooted in God so that we may continue to shine in the world. Remember the salt of the covenant with God, and be the light of the world.
Reflection: Fr. Sahaya G Selvam
The gospel reading of today, Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth… you are the light of the World” (Mt 5:13-14). What does that mean? Your light must shine in people’s sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven. Salt reminds us of taste and food. In the Scriptures, salt was also used in temple offering (Ezra 6:9), because the sacrifice that people offered was a reminder of the covenant with the God.
Taken together, then, we are called to be light of the world by being the salt of the earth. We are called to radiate an invitation to the world to be part of the reign of God, by being faithful to our own intimacy with God. And in the context of the Word of God today, we are reminded to be intimately rooted in God so that we may continue to shine in the world. Remember the salt of the covenant with God, and be the light of the world.
