V Sunday in OT: Is 58: 7-10; I Cor 2: 1-5; Mt 5: 13-16

V Sunday in OT: Is 58: 7-10; I Cor 2: 1-5; Mt 5: 13-16

Introduction:  The common theme of all three readings today is our mission to the world as salt and light. In our first reading, the prophet Isaiah gives examples of how we are to allow the light of God to shine through us.  St. Paul, in the second reading, tells us that our proclamation of faith will carry the Spirit and His power when we rely on the power and wisdom of God. 

Exegesis: Using two simple metaphors of salt of the earth and light of the world in today’s Gospel, Jesus outlines the role of Christians in this world. As a symbol of purity, salt was the common ingredient in sacrifices offered to God by Jews and pagans. In the ancient world it was the commonest of all preservatives, used to prevent putrefaction/decay of meat, fish and fruits in pickles. Salt lends flavor to food items and was used to season and preserve food. An ingredient that makes things everlasting, or preserving.  

Speaking about the usefulness of the salt, he was referring to wisdom.  The ancients associated salt with value.  Slaves were often purchased for salt.  The expression, “He’s not worth his salt,” is based on this.  When Jesus speaks about salt, He is speaking about that which gives us value.  That which gives us value is that which we have received from God.  That is wisdom.  This wisdom, this salt, is a new way of life, far different from the values of the world. We refer to this different way of living, this radically different value system, as the way of holiness. 

A light is something which is meant to be seen.  A lamp or light is a guide to make clear the way.  Light on a mountain is seen from everywhere.  It cannot be hidden, but come to be known or seen by everyone. Finally, light, particularly the sun’s, gives warmth and heat.

The ultimate purpose of our life is the glorification of the Father.  “Seeing your good deeds let people glorify your the heavenly father”.  Be useful like salt with your wisdom and be light of the world so that people can see your good deeds and thus the world may glorify the heavenly father with you.

Anecdote: A teacher asked a boy to define salt. The pupil hesitated. Finally he stammered, "Salt is what makes French Fries taste good when you sprinkle it on."  The examples are: Mother Angelica who in 1981 started broadcasting Catholic TV for just a few hours a day from the garage of her Poor Clare Monastery in the US.  The courage and conviction she had is the salt and light of the world.  Mother Theresa spent her life for the poor people in Culcutta.  Many people have done charities like Mother Theresa. But she did it with wisdom and became an example of salt and light of the world. 

Joke:  One day Jesus was going up to the mountain to pray with his disciples but he noticed that Judah wasn't there and went out to find him.... So he did and said, “Judah let's go up to the mountain and pray”. But Judah replied “no Jesus i'm too tired and I haven't rested all night”. But Jesus said “ohhh come on” So Judah left. When they were half way up the mountain Jesus said, “okay guys I want you all to pick up a stone”. So everyone picked up a big one except for Judah because he was so tired he got a little one. So when they got up to the mountain Jesus said “okay. we're going to pray and your stone is going to become a loaf of bread”. So Judah got upset because since he got a small stone he's going to have the smallest bread... So the whole day he was mad and hungry.... Then it was the next day and Jesus wanted to go again to the mountain and again had to go off and find Judah. He did and said "Hey let's go to the mountain again”. Judah said “okay” When they were half way up there Jesus again said “every one pick up a stone again”. So Judah went and found the biggest stone of all thinking to his self ‘today I am not going to stay hungry’ He was struggling the whole way up there to get to the mountain. Once when they were up there and finished praying Jesus said “Well everyone throw away your stone's because today were having sandwiches and coke!”

Life messages: 1) We need to be the salt of the earth and be useful: a). As the salt of the earth, the Christian must be an example of purity in speech, in conduct, and even in thought. And thus make life tasty. b) As the salt of the earth, the Christian must have a certain antiseptic influence on life and society, defeating corruption, fighting against injustice and making it easier for others to avoid sin. c) As salt preserves foods, we have to preserve the religious faith, Christian cultural values and moral principles, which Jesus has given us, and we need to work at reconciling the quarreling factions in families and communities.  As the salt of the earth, we also have to add flavor to the lives of desperate people, give hope where there is no hope. 

2) We need to be the light of the world: The second role of Christians is to receive the light of Christ and radiate it to people all around us in the form of love, kindness, mercy, forgiveness and humble service. With a little bit of Christ’s Light, we become a veritable lighthouse, illuminating the way for many and removing the darkness caused by hatred, spite and jealousy. We radiate Christ, the Light of the world, by our kindness and respect for others with different ethnic backgrounds, different lifestyles, other faiths or no faith at all. 

Introduction: V-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Message: Through the power of God, we can be a light of the world, by our loving concern for others, especially the poor and the oppressed.

Saints and Events in this week: Today is Word Marriage Day; 1-Tenth-Monday-Saint Scholastica, virgin; 11-Eleventh-Tuesday-Our Lady of Lourdes; 14-Forteenth-Friday-Saint Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop;