Fifth Sunday of the Year: A: February 5, 2023

 BEING THE SALT OF THE EARTH AND THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

First Reading: Isaiah 58: 7-10

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2: 1-5

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5: 13-16

   * First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah tells the people of Israel who want to restore the glory of the Jerusalem temple that what God wants from them is not a great temple but doing justice to the poor and the needy. The Prophet instructs them to turn their prayers into action and share their riches with the poor. He assures them that when they show concern for others especially the poor, then their light will break forth like the sun.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul instructs the Christian community at Corinth that when he brought them the message of the Gospel, he did not rely on human wisdom and his own cleverness but on the power of God. He reminds them that living the message of the Lord is more urgent and important than all his eloquence. 

Let your light shine                                                                               Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. Jesus instructs His disciples what they are expected to do in the world: To be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. After His discourse on who are the blessed ones in the Kingdom of God, Jesus explains to them how these blessed ones should live in the world. Jesus uses two familiar metaphors to explain it to the disciples. 1. 'Your are the salt of the earth'. Salt has to give saltiness to the earth and give taste to the food. So also, disciples should show that they are  truly His  disciples by their day today actions of love and compassion to the people around them. 2. Further, Jesus tells them, 'You are the light of the world'. Light is not a private energy. It is not for hiding or hoarding. Light should be placed where it shines for everyone. So also, to be  disciples of Jesus is something which is worth radiating  and sharing.  When we as disciples of Jesus act as the salt of earth giving the world taste of the teachings of Christ and preserving the world from decay and losses, then our discipleship becomes truly meaningful. So also, when we give hope and consolation to the world around us through our love and acts of charity, we truly become the light of the world no matter what the darkness around us. In this context of being a light to the world, Malcom Muggeridge a famous writer says the following about St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. " She showed me love in action. She showed me how the love of one person can start a tidal wave that can spread across the world." - Malcom Muggeridge