2026-02-05 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Times
2026-02-05 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Times
Isaiah 58:7-10
Postexilic Isaiah 58 was written during a time of deep uncertainty for Israel. The Babylonian exile and the destruction of the Temple and the monarchy left the faithful directionless.
But now some of them are returning to the land. Many questions exist, Should we rebuild the temple and reestablish David’s throne? Perhaps one but not the other?
Isaiah 58 is a call to social action - not just building symbols of God's covenant. It warns the faithful that religious ritual when unaccompanied by social action is self-serving. and empty.
But now some of them are returning to the land. Many questions exist, Should we rebuild the temple and reestablish David’s throne? Perhaps one but not the other?
Isaiah 58 is a call to social action - not just building symbols of God's covenant. It warns the faithful that religious ritual when unaccompanied by social action is self-serving. and empty.
Psalm 112:1-9
Psalm 112, a wisdom psalm, provides instruction in right living and right faith
1 Corinthians 2:1–5
Throughout the first chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the quarreling and division among the Christians in Corinth.
The faithful were relying on the claim or boast of human wisdom among the various followers of Corinthian teachers resulting in egotistical divisions
St Paul declares that it is not his personal charisma or smooth eloquence, but the power of the Holy Spirit with which he declared the Gospel of Salvation. He argues that it is only through the Spirit of God that we understand, comprehend, apprehend, and exercise the gifts bestowed on us by God. As a result, the Corinthians should base their faith not on skillful rhetoric or on human wisdom, but on the power of God
The faithful were relying on the claim or boast of human wisdom among the various followers of Corinthian teachers resulting in egotistical divisions
St Paul declares that it is not his personal charisma or smooth eloquence, but the power of the Holy Spirit with which he declared the Gospel of Salvation. He argues that it is only through the Spirit of God that we understand, comprehend, apprehend, and exercise the gifts bestowed on us by God. As a result, the Corinthians should base their faith not on skillful rhetoric or on human wisdom, but on the power of God
Matthew 5:13-16
After the Sermon of the Mount where Jesus presents the beatitudes in our trouble world marked by wealth inequality and poverty (5:3), loss and grief (5:4), oppressors and oppressed, those with resources—land—and the dispossessed (5:5), injustice and acts of justice (5:6), mercy and cruelty (5:7), purity and impurity (5:8), war and peace (5:9), opposition and reward (5:10–12); Jesus presents two shining examples that call us to action.
Why the image of salt? Salt performs multiple functions: transforming, flavoring, preserving, and purifying substances. Salt does not exist for itself but affects other elements. Likewise, the community of disciples is commissioned to impact “the land” or the earth
But salt is most effective in its work when it is used with other elements - we too can accomplish this together as a community. In culinary matters, salt works in tandem with other food to bring out the best flavor
If we fail in our duties then we are like salt without its efficacy, totally worthless, which always remains a distinct possibility
“You are the light for the world”, is yet another powerful image of the transformative impact of any “good works” we do. God's grace already exists, our actions just shin light on his infinite mercy and grace.
Why the image of salt? Salt performs multiple functions: transforming, flavoring, preserving, and purifying substances. Salt does not exist for itself but affects other elements. Likewise, the community of disciples is commissioned to impact “the land” or the earth
But salt is most effective in its work when it is used with other elements - we too can accomplish this together as a community. In culinary matters, salt works in tandem with other food to bring out the best flavor
If we fail in our duties then we are like salt without its efficacy, totally worthless, which always remains a distinct possibility
“You are the light for the world”, is yet another powerful image of the transformative impact of any “good works” we do. God's grace already exists, our actions just shin light on his infinite mercy and grace.
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