FIFTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR

Readings:  Isaiah 58:7-10;  1 Corinthians 2:1-5;   Matthew 5:13-16

 

Today’s Readings place an emphasis on Christian faith and call every Christian to be the shining light in the world. In Matthew’s Gospel everyone is called by Jesus to be salt and light for others, for the world. Our lives, what we do and the way we do things, should be a source of light and meaning for others. Our actions should be a visible sign for others of God’s presence in the world.  A Christian has to be outstanding before everyone through his deeds and must enlighten all. In the Old testament God had been telling His chosen people through Prophet Isaiah that He would send a Light in the world to save His people and the gentiles.

 In the First Reading of today Prophet Isaiah asks the people of Israel to be the shining light to all the people. The Israelites were asked to fast as the means through which their bonds of injustice could be broken and the oppressed would receive their freedom. They were told to share their bread with the hungry, give shelter to the homeless, display compassion, and speak the truth and utter words that heal.

Through these good works, they would be like the light of dawn shining before the people.  He will answer them, “Here I am.” But first, they must get rid of the evil around them, the pointing of finger to others, their gossiping, their false accusations, the speaking of evil and all things that displease God.

 In the Second Reading Paul tells that When  he was in Corinth he went in weakness and in fear with much trembling.  It was not an easy task for him. He tells them how he was opposed and reviled.  He was brought before the tribunal, accused of influencing the people to worship a God contrary to the law.  In his love for the Lord Jesus he endured much.  Whatever was accomplished through him as a light in the world, it was not because of his own doing. His speech and his proclamation were not plausible words of wisdom.

The Gospel passage presented to us today follows immediately after the announcement of Beatitudes calls every one to be the living witnesses of faith.  It tells how the Beatitudes must be lived in our daily lives and how it is essential for the Christian disciple both to be seen and heard.  It is essential to know that Christianity is not a private religion. 

A Christian must have to have a vision and a mission.  Christianity is a vision which is meant to change the outlook of the world and bring the good news to all. Jesus tells his disciples that they have to be the salt of the earth.  When Jesus used this image of salt, he would have meant how a disciple of his must be valuable and precious like the salt he uses.  In the ancient world salt was a highly valued commodity.  Salt was connected with purity and its glistening whiteness made this connection easy.  The Romans said that salt was purest of all things because it came from purest of elements, the sun and the sea.   Salt was indeed most primitive of all offerings to God and the Jewish offering were always offered along with salt. 

 In his second imagery, Jesus says that a Christian disciple must be the light of the world. Light is a rich image running throughout the entire Bible.  He explains it further by using a third imagery that a city built on a hill cannot be hidden.  During ancient times, the crown of a city was considered a good place to build a city. It enabled them to see the enemies at a distance and defend themselves more easily. 

Even in a house when a lamp is lit no one places it under a basket he says, but on the lampstand so that it gives light to all in the house. So Jesus tells his disciples that there cannot be hidden discipleship, rather they have to let their light shine before others. People who witness them and see their good works will give glory to the Father in heaven.  When Jesus spoke these words he was using an expression which was quite familiar to the Jews that spoke of Jerusalem as the light to the gentiles.  A light is first and foremost something which is meant to be seen. Jesus tells his disciples that Christianity is something which is meant to be seen is seen by all.

He wants his disciples to be the salt of the earth, the light to the world. Let’s pray that we become His true disciples and be the salt of the earth, the light to the world.

 

 - @Avinash Bitra OFM Cap.