For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

KEYWORDS: catholic; mt5; ordinarytime; prayer; saints;

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From: Isaiah 58:6-10

Misguided Fasting Denounced

[6] “Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
[7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
[8] Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you,
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
[9] Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.
If you take away from the midst of you the yoke,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
[10] if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

58:1-14. This new denunciation, very much in the style of this part of the book,
criticizes fasting done in the wrong spirit; it is uncompromising (vv. 1-7) but it
ends with words of encouragement. The Lord cannot go along with the hypocrisy
of a purely external religion — with people going through the motions of religious
observance while being unjust in their dealings with others and ignoring those in
need. Those who act in this way cannot know much about God this is why the
prophet feels compelled to speak out and use every opportunity to correct them.

“They seek me daily” (v. 2), that is, they are keen to hear the oracles spoken by
the prophets, to learn what God is saying, but they do not act on them — which
shows that they do not really know what religion is all about. Conversion to God
is not a matter of engaging in many external acts of worship and fasting, while
being unjust, exploiting workers and neglecting the poor. It is not surprising that
God ignores fasts if those who perform them commit sins against justice and
charity (vv. 3-6). In this poem different people’s voices are heard at different
points: first God tells the prophet to keep on condemning hypocrisy (vv. 1-2);
then men speak, complaining that God ignores their fasting (v. 3) and at the
end God teaches and reproaches: he will have nothing to do with the hypocrisy
of those who perform fasts but behave wickedly (vv. 4-7); whereas he will cer-
tainly listen to prayers if they are accompanied by acts of justice and charity
(vv. 8-14).

The works of mercy recommended in this oracle are echoed in Jesus’ discourse
on the Last Judgment in Matthew 25:23-45. Christian spirituality has always
stressed that love of neighbor and works of mercy are clear proof of a person’s
love of God and are a touchstone of true religion, for “...works of mercy are proof
of a truly holy life” (Rabanus Maurus, recorded by St Thomas Aquinas in the
“Catena Aurea”). And St Leo the Great taught: “Let each of the faithful examine
his own conscience, seeking out his deepest desires; if he finds the fruits of
love within his soul, he will know that God is with him, and he should strive even
harder to be worthy of so great a guest, being ever more generous in his works
of mercy” (”Sermones”, 48, 3).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

From: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

St. Paul’s Preaching in Corinth

[1] When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimo-
ny of God in lofty words or wisdom. [2] For I decided to know nothing among you
except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness and in
much fear and trembling; [4] and my speech and my message were not in plau-
sible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, [5] that your
faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1-3. The Apostle had come to Corinth from Athens, as we know from the Acts
of the Apostles (17:16-34); in that city he had not made many converts, despite
his brilliant discourse in the Areopagus. This fact, and the moral corruption of
Corinthian society, may explain his arriving “in much fear and trembling” (v. 3);
he must have felt that he had a difficult task ahead of him. As it turned out, he
must have met many difficulties: our Lord appeared to him at night in a vision to
comfort and encourage him: “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent;
for I am with you” (Acts 18:9-10). St Paul, therefore, putting no reliance on care-
fully argued speeches, proclaims Christ crucified, to make sure that faith is
grounded on God alone.

St Paul sums up his entire message here “Jesus Christ and him crucified”. The
Church, on whom it devolves to continue the mission of the Apostles, does no-
thing but make Jesus Christ known: “Our spirit is set in one direction,” Bl. John
Paul II reminds us; “the only direction for our intellect, will and heart is towards
Christ our Redeemer, towards Christ, the Redeemer of man. We wish to look
towards him because there is salvation in no one else but him, the Son of God
— repeating what Peter said, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of
eternal life’ (Jn 6:68) [...]. The Church lives his mystery, draws unwearyingly from
it and continually seeks ways of bringing this mystery of her Master and Lord to
mankind — to the peoples, the nations, the succeeding generations, and every in-
dividual human being—as if she were ever repeating, as the Apostle did, ‘For I de-
cided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified’ (1 Cor
2:2). The Church stays within the sphere of the mystery of the Redemption,
which has become the fundamental principle of her life and mission” (”Redemp-
tor Hominis”, 7).

Every Christian, for his part, should try to see that those around him “desire to
know Jesus Christ and him crucified and that they be firmly convinced and with
the most heartfelt piety and devotion believe that no other name under heaven
has been given to men by which we may be saved (cf. Acts 4:12), since he is
the expiation for our sins (cf. 1 Jn 2:2)” (”St Pius V Catechism”, Introduction,
10).

4-5. Just as Paul’s preaching did not rely on eloquence, so too faith must not be
based on human wisdom (cf. note on 1 Cor 1:20-25). He says that he based his
message on “demonstration of the Spirit and power” — probably a reference to
the powerful action of divine grace on those who listened to his preaching, with
grace manifesting itself in conversions and extraordinary charisms. This power
of God explains how they came to believe.

God continues to act through the Christian message, which “is unique. It cannot
be replaced. It does not permit either indifference, syncretism or accommodation.
It is a question of people’s salvation. It is the beauty of the Revelation that it re-
presents. It brings with it a wisdom that is not of this world. It is able to stir up by
itself faith—faith that rests on the power of God (cf. 1 Cor 2:5). It is truth. It merits
having the apostle consecrate to it all his time and all his energies, and to sacri-
fice for it, if necessary, his own life” (Paul VI “Evangelic Nuntiandi”, 5).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

From: Matthew 5:13-16

Salt of the Earth and Light of the World

(Jesus said to the multitude:) [13] “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has
lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for any-
thing except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.

[14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. [15] Nor
do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light
to all in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

13-16. These verses are a calling to that apostolate which is part and parcel of
being a Christian. Every Christian has to strive for personal sanctification, but he
also has to seek the sanctification of others. Jesus teaches us this, using the
very expressive simile of salt and light. Salt preserves food from corruption; it al-
so brings out its flavor and makes it more pleasant; and it disappears into the
food; the Christian should do the same among the people around him.

“You are salt, apostolic soul. ‘Bonum est sal’: salt is a useful thing’, we read in
the holy Gospel; ‘si autem sal evanuerit’: but if the salt loses its taste’, it is good
for nothing, neither for the land nor for the manure heap; it is thrown out as use-
less. You are salt, apostolic soul. But if you lose your taste...” (St. J. Escriva,
“The Way”, 921).

Good works are the fruit of charity, which consists in loving others as God loves
us (cf. John 15:12). “I see now”, St. Therese of Lisieux writes, “that true charity
consists in bearing with the faults of those about us, never being surprised at
their weaknesses, but edified at the least sign of virtue. I see above all that cha-
rity must not remain hidden in the bottom of our hearts: ‘nor do men light a lamp
and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.’ It
seems to me that this lamp is the symbol of charity; it must shine out not only
to cheer those we love best but all in the house” (”The Autobiography of a Saint”,
Chapter 9).

Apostolate is one of the clearest expressions of charity. The Second Vatican
Council emphasized the Christian’s duty to be apostolic. Baptism and Confirma-
tion confer this duty, which is also a right (cf. “Lumen Gentium”, 33), so much
so that, because the Christian is part of the mystical body, “a member who does
not work at the growth of the body to the extent of his possibilities must be con-
sidered useless both to the Church and to himself” (”Apostolicam Actuositatem”,
2). “Laymen have countless opportunities for exercising the apostolate of evange-
lization and sanctification. The very witness of a Christian life, and good works
done in a supernatural spirit, are effective in drawing men to the faith and to God;
and that is what the Lord has said: “Let your light so shine before men, that they
may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven” (”Apo-
stolicam Actuositatem”, 6).

“The Church must be present to these groups [those who do not even believe
in God] through those of its members who live among them or have been sent to
them. All Christians by the example of their lives and witness of their word, wher-
ever they live, have an obligation to manifest the new man which they put on in
Baptism, and to reveal the power of the Holy Spirit by whom they were streng-
thened at Confirmation, so that others, seeing their good works, might glorify the
Father and more perfectly perceive the true meaning of human life and the univer-
sal solidarity of mankind” (”Ad Gentes”, 11; cf. 36).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Pray for Pope Francis.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible by Darton, Longman & Todd

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: Green.

First reading	Isaiah 58:7-10 ©

Thus says the Lord:

Share your bread with the hungry,

and shelter the homeless poor,

clothe the man you see to be naked

and do not turn from your own kin.

Then will your light shine like the dawn

and your wound be quickly healed over.

Your integrity will go before you

and the glory of the Lord behind you.

Cry, and the Lord will answer;

call, and he will say, ‘I am here.’

If you do away with the yoke,

the clenched fist, the wicked word,

if you give your bread to the hungry,

and relief to the oppressed,

your light will rise in the darkness,

and your shadows become like noon.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 111(112):4-9 ©

The good man is a light in the darkness for the upright.

or

Alleluia!

He is a light in the darkness for the upright:

he is generous, merciful and just.

The good man takes pity and lends,

he conducts his affairs with honour.

The good man is a light in the darkness for the upright.

or

Alleluia!

The just man will never waver:

he will be remembered for ever.

He has no fear of evil news;

with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.

The good man is a light in the darkness for the upright.

or

Alleluia!

With a steadfast heart he will not fear;

open-handed, he gives to the poor;

his justice stands firm for ever.

His head will be raised in glory.

The good man is a light in the darkness for the upright.

or

Alleluia!

Second reading
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ©

When I came to you, brothers, it was not with any show of oratory or philosophy, but simply to tell you what God had guaranteed. During my stay with you, the only knowledge I claimed to have was about Jesus, and only about him as the crucified Christ. Far from relying on any power of my own, I came among you in great ‘fear and trembling’ and in my speeches and the sermons that I gave, there were none of the arguments that belong to philosophy; only a demonstration of the power of the Spirit. And I did this so that your faith should not depend on human philosophy but on the power of God.

Gospel Acclamation	Jn8:12

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

anyone who follows me will have the light of life.

Alleluia!

Gospel	Matthew 5:13-16 ©

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’

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Jesus, High Priest

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

6. Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary. The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]

St. Michael the Archangel

~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
+

February Devotion: The Holy Family

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of February has been primarily asociated with the Holy Family, probably due to the feast of Our Lord's presentation at the temple, celebrated on February 2. At the very outset of Christ's work on earth, God showed the world a family in which, as Pope Leo XIII teaches, "all men might behold a perfect model of domestic life, and of all virtue and holiness." The harmony, unity, and holiness which characterized this holy Family make it the model for all Christian families.

INVOCATION
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph most kind, Bless us now and in death's agony.

FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HOLY FAMILY
Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that in the hour of our death Thy glorious Virgin Mother together with blessed Joseph may come to meet us and we may be worthily received by Thee into everlasting dwellings: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Roman Missal

CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY FAMILY
O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.

Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.

O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.

Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be, three times.

IN HONOR OF THE HOLY FAMILY
O God, heavenly Father, it was part of Thine eternal decree that Thine only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, should form a holy family with Mary, His blessed mother, and His foster father, Saint Joseph. In Nazareth home life was sanctified, and a perfect example was given to every Christian family. Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may fully comprehend and faithfully imitate the virtues of the Holy Family so that we may be united with them one day in their heavenly glory. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

Holy Family Chaplet

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with me in my last hour.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul
in peace with you.

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Amen.

Say 3 Our Father's, 3 Hail Mary's, and 3 Glory be's.

The Holy Family Icon by Nicholas Markell

PRAYER TO
THE HOLY FAMILY
===================================================================== ================

GOD our Heavenly Father, You call all peoples to be united as one family in worshipping You as the one and true God. You willed that Your Son become man, giving Him a virgin mother and a foster father to form the Holy Family of Nazareth.

WE pray: may the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, image and model of every human family unit walk in the spirit of Nazareth and grow in the understanding of its particular mission in society and the Church. May our families be living cells of love, faithfulness and unity, thus reflecting God's covenant with humanity and Christ's redeeming love for His Church.

JESUS, Mary and Joseph protect our families from all evil; keep us, who are away from home, one in love with our dear ones.

Parent's Prayer

Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man, and Son of Mary, I thank you for the gift of life you have entrusted to my care. Help me be a parent both tender and wise, both loving and forgiving.

Mary, Holy Mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and our Motherly Queen of Heaven, nourish our family with your heavenly grace. Help us to remain faithful to The Most Holy Trinity, in all our sorrows and joys.

Joseph, Earthly father to our Lord God, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

Holy Family of Nazareth, help our family to walk in your footsteps. May we be peace-loving and peace-giving.
Amen.

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February2017

Pope's Intention

Universal: Comfort for the Afflicted, That all those who are afflicted, especially the poor, refugees, and marginalized, may find welcome and comfort in our communities.

Daily Gospel Commentary

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
Saint Josémaria Escriva de Balaguer (1902-1975), priest, founder
Homily of April 5, 1957

“It gives light to all in the house”

The Lord described his disciples’ mission as filling the world with light, being salt and light, carrying the good news of God’s love to the furthest confines of the earth. It is to this that all Christians must dedicate their life in one way or another… The grace of faith was not given us so as to remain hidden, but on the contrary, in order to shine before people…

Some will perhaps ask themselves how they can communicate this knowledge of Christ to others. I shall answer: with naturalness, with simplicity, by living exactly as you do in the midst of the world, devoted as you are to your professional work and to the care of your family, participating in all the noble aspirations of people, respecting the legitimate freedom of each person… Ordinary life can be holy and filled with God. The Lord calls us to sanctify our usual tasks, because that is also where Christian perfection dwells.

Let us not forget that almost all the days Mary spent on this earth were spent in a way very like the days of millions of other women who are also dedicated to their family, to the education of their children, to household tasks. All of that, which many wrongly consider to be insignificant and of no value, Mary sanctified even to the smallest detail… An ordinary blessed life, which can be so full of the love of God! For this is what explains the life of Mary: her love lived to the point of forgetting herself, completely happy as she was to be in her place where God wanted her. That is why her smallest gesture was never banal, but on the contrary, can be seen as full of meaning… It is up to us to try to be like her in the exact circumstances in which God wants us to live.

Zenit.org

Salt and Light

LECTIO DIVINA: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A – February 5, 2017

February 3, 2017Francesco FolloSpirituality and Prayer

Salt / Pixabay CC0 - LoggaWiggler, Public Domain

Roman Rite

Is 58.7 to 10; Ps 112; 1 Cor 2, 1-5; Mt 5, 13-16

Ambrosian Rite

Es 16, 2-7a.13b-18 | 2 Cor 8.7 to 15 | Lk 9, 10b-17

1) The salt of the earth and the light of the world is Jesus and we with Him.

In this Sunday’s Gospel Christ says to his disciples of all time: “You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world” (Mt 5, 13 and 14). With these words Jesus does not invite us to strive to become salt and light, but reveals to us what we are. He does not tell us what we must do, he reminds us of what we are already: salt and light. Of course, after the being comes the action and, therefore, we must become aware that we are like the salt that preserves and gives flavor. We have the task of giving new “flavor” to the world and to preserve it from corruption in the same way the light illuminates giving security and heat. We can do it with the wisdom of God that fully shines on the face of the Son because He is the “true light that enlightens every man” (Jn 1,9).

In saying: “You are the salt of the earth” Jesus tells us that the human nature, corrupted by sin, has become tasteless but, through our ministry of witness, the grace of the Holy Spirit will regenerate and preserve the world. For this reason the Savior teaches us the virtues of the Beatitudes that are the most necessary, the most effective for us who want to be like him. Those who are meek, humble, merciful, and just do not keep inside the good works that they have done, but take care that these works are sources for the good of others. Those who have a pure heart, those who are peacemakers, and those suffering persecution for the truth are the ones who devote their life to the good of all. If we dissolve like salt, we give flavor to the life of the world and build a culture of life and a civilization of love.

In saying: “You are the light of the world,” Christ teaches us that we, united with him, can spread, in the midst of the darkness of indifference and selfishness ,the light of love of God, true wisdom that gives meaning to the existence and the acting of men. To the teaching that we are light Jesus immediately adds these words: “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.” (Mt 5, 15-16).

2) Works of light.

If it is true that in the friendly light of the Christians all men find Christ, light of life and perfect truth, it is also true that we are light not so much with doctrine or words but above all with the works that our light shines in world.

To do this we need no particular skills, we need to “preach” by our works. There would not be unbelievers, if we were Christians as we should.

St. Francis de Sales said: “Do not speak of God to those who don’t ask. But live so that, sooner or later, they will ask. “

It is just so: our works are the ones that rekindle the demand and persuade. In this way we will be salt of the earth and light of the world. In this way we will be true missionaries without saying a word. Pope Francis teaches: “All of us who are baptized, are disciples and missionaries and we are called to become a living Gospel in the world. With a holy life we will give ‘flavor’ to different environments and we will defend them from corruption, as salt does and we will bring the light of Christ through the witness of genuine charity.”

For those, however, who are called to preach with words, a law is required: to put into practice what they preach to others. It is inevitable that the preaching is not accepted when it is not followed by the example. St. John Chrysostom said: “The pupils observe the conduct of the masters and, if they see that they too are subject to the same defects, or even worse, how could they admire Christianity?” And he added: “When I seek in you the signs to recognize you as a Christian, I find quite opposite signs. If I wanted to judge who you are from the places you go, the corrupt people with whom you are, the words that are not serious and useful, I would say that nothing remains for me to recognize you as a Christian.” Rightly, St. Francis de Sales asked: “What difference exists between the Gospel and the life of a saint?” Then he answered “It is the same difference that there is between a symphony written, and a symphony performed”. It is so: in the life of a saint, or at least in that of a fervent Christian, we learn how to put into practice the Gospel. We all, in addition, must strive to be this “symphony performed” for all the brothers and the sisters that we meet on our way.

We are called to be salt of the earth and light of the world doing good works. At this point you may be wondering of which good works Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel. For good works we must only think of the works of mercy that must never be lacking, but also of all the individual virtues. To be concrete, I will recall briefly which are the virtues and which the capital vices. First of all, the theological virtues: faith, hope and charity, and the cardinal: justice, prudence, fortitude and temperance. But we must not ignore the virtues that are found in the Beatitudes: patience, purity, humility, meekness, simplicity and poverty of spirit. It is worth mentioning the capital vices, which are seven: pride, sloth, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and avarice. Every time we let us be taken by these vices, we give a counter-witness and drive away our neighbor from the Truth. If, on the contrary, we will practice the virtues and we will do good works, we will be the light that illuminates and the salt that gives flavor.

The important thing is that we do not stop at the surface of ourselves, but we go to the secret cell of our heart, where are a handful of salt and a spark of light. By living according to the Gospel let that spark turn on the lamp and our light shine in our good works.

Let’s do this with humility, knowing that the salt of the earth and the light of the world is Jesus. We will be light and salt if – thanks to a good life – we will talk about Him and as little as possible about ourselves.

3) The consecrated Virgins in the world: women of works of light.

In Christ our good works are works of light. They are the works made by the poor, the pure and the meek. When, as a rule of life, we live the commandment of love, then we are salt and light to those we meet. In any place where there is love and the charity in truth is lived, there is poured the salt that gives good flavor to life. Where there is love for Christ and a life of communion, there is the light that dispels all the darkness and a lamp to light the steps of many.

Love is the “the salt of the earth and the light of the world”. It is love that gives savor and light to life. Love is the heart of wisdom and the way of the joy of the Gospel. It is love that calls us to share in order to be and to testify.

The love of God is comparable to the salt and the light, and so we must take care of it. An example of how this love should be cultivated comes from the consecrated virgins in the world. St. Augustine said: “Falling in love with God is the greatest love story; looking for it is the greatest adventure; finding it is the highest human achievement “, sharing it is the mission of those who have consecrated themselves to this love.

By their consecrated and chaste lives, these women humbly testify that Christ’s love is an integral part of life and that is comparable to salt and light. In Christ, their lives are interwoven with light; light of faith that illuminates the heart and enlightens the mind, light of love that warms and is fruitful. With their lives offered daily, they are lamps that make the light of Christ shine in the world. These consecrated women not only carry the lamp of the prudent virgins, but they are the lamps burning, namely vigilant, that have the oil of fidelity in love and perseverance in good works.

With humble courage these women have accepted the call that God has made to them. In his omnipotence and tenderness, God calls you to be holy in virginity lived in the world. It would be foolish to boast for such a call, but it is a sign of responsibility to welcome it, testifying that it is possible already on this earth to live a life woven with light.

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February 5, 2017

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Is 58:7-10

Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Reading 2 1 Cor 2:1-5

Alleluia Jn 8:12

Gospel Mt 5:13-16

Readings at Mass

February2017

Pope's Intention

Universal: Comfort for the Afflicted, That all those who are afflicted, especially the poor, refugees, and marginalized, may find welcome and comfort in our communities.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time