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First Reading: Isaiah 58:7-10
Responsorial: Psalm 112:4-9
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020220.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/
Brothers and sisters, we’ve talked a lot about discipleship. But today’s readings, help us understand what it means to live a life of discipleship. Look at the first reading, for example, from Isaiah. The people have returned from captivity and they’re trying to rebuild their lives, their nation, their capital and in particular, the temple, which is the center of Jewish faith and worship.
Earlier in the book of Isaiah he addresses forms of inauthentic worship. So, now the people are rebuilding the temple to restart Jewish cultic ritual, but Isaiah cautions them. He says to them that proof of authentic worship is by the way the people live their lives, like sharing their bread with the hungry, or sheltering the oppressed and homeless, and clothing the naked.
In other words, authentic faith life is not about ticking a box on your calendar, showing up for mass, then rushing out the door to get a great seat at the restaurant. Isaiah is telling us that authentic praise and worship begins with an internal conversion. If you treat the people around, especially the marginalized with generosity, then you will be light in the darkness.
We hear a similar metaphor in today’s Gospel. True discipleship has to be about – it has to begin with real, internal conversion. And the proof of our conversion is that way we engage the world around us. Our light will shine in the darkness if we try to live authentically – when we walk the walk.
Jesus also describes the disciple as salt of the earth. Salt not only flavors food, but it’s a preservative, right? So, living a life of discipleship challenges the way things are and helps preserve goodness in the world. That sounds nice and it’s certainly a noble pursuit, but I think it can be very difficult in today’s culture where we define success as money, privilege, and power to live out our faith. I think it can be difficult for the Christian to reconcile our faith with the way we work. It’s just business, right?
First, helping the marginalized – feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked – begins by treating every person we encounter, especially those we work with and those who work for us, with respect – by not trying to cheat them or take advantage of them for the sake of quarterly earnings. If someone accepts employment in good faith, but your profitability strategy hinges on laying them off before Christmas or after they turn fifty, then that is an exploitative practice and a sinful injustice. It’s the opposite of being a light set on a lampstand.
Ok, so does that mean we need to show up for work with our Bibles and our catechisms, or get an advanced degree in theology so that we’re ready to debate with leaders and shareholders? No, of course not. St. Paul gives us some insight into how we could begin in today’s second reading.
Now he’s going to build on what he’s telling us in the second reading next week, but this week he says you don’t need to come with some big compendium of faith under your arm. We show up in humility and we trust in God. Paul shows up before the Corinthians in weakness and fear and much trembling. But he put his faith in the scandal of the cross and stood before the people. He calls it scandalous because Jesus had to be crucified and die on it.
Putting our faith in Christ Jesus who was scandalized for our sake and allowing ourselves to feel a little uncomfortable regardless whether people will see us as foolish is a willing sacrifice we make as his disciples. Because in the end, it’s not about us – it’s not about whether you or I feel comfortable or uncomfortable. It’s about Jesus. We try by our actions, our words, the very way we live our lives, to facilitate an encounter between someone – anyone – and Jesus Christ. That’s it. We trust that encounter to the Holy Spirit, and we get out of the way.
Homework! After receiving Christ in the Word proclaimed and, in the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions.
- You are the light of the World. How can I bring light and truth into my interactions with others?
- Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. How does the way I live reflect what I believe?
Our homework this week is a good exercise for us as disciples. Do you got it? Do you get it? The go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!
References:
- Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
- Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010.
- Montague, George T. SM. First Corinthians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.
Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
- Christian beatitude, 1716, 1720
- Poor in spirit, 544, 2546
- Pure in heart, 2518
- Peacemakers, 2305, 2330
- Heaven, 326
- Christ, center of catechesis, 426
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 73
Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020920.cfm
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
R. (4a) The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
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.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
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.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
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.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
Alleluia.
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.
Alleluia
John 8:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
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.”