The Letter to the Hebrews makes it clear that the spiritual battle will require discipline and conviction. In moments of weakness, may we lean on the Lord for the help we need to stay focused and keep going.
The Letter to the Hebrews offers a powerful visual image for our spiritual journey: we are running in a great race, surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, with our eyes fixed on Jesus!
Jesus drives out many demons from a man and sends him home to his family to announce what the Lord has done. May we be a living witness to our families as we authentically live our faith in the context of daily life.
Let’s explore some of the themes in the readings for the 5th Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – Isaiah 58:7-10
The prophet exhorts the people to corporal works of mercy: sharing food; sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, responding to the needs of others.
The Lord responds to us when we care for others, and the Lord’s light shines upon us.
Psalm – 112:4-9
“The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.”
Light shines upon those who care for the needs of others.
2nd Reading – 1st Corinthians 2:1-5
Paul reminds the people that he came to them speaking of Christ crucified.
He gave the message simply and without demonstrations of power, so that they would trust in God alone.
Gospel – Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus teaches that we are salt and light, meant to use what we have been given for the good of others.
When we let our light shine, we give glory to our heavenly Father.
The lives of the Saints repeatedly demonstrate a central point in the Scriptures today: our strength does not come from us but from the Lord. May we call upon Christ for the guidance and help we require as we put our faith into practice.
We find aspects of faith in the Letter to the Hebrews, the Canticle of Zechariah, and the words of Jesus to the disciples in the midst of a storm. In all three we see how our faith in God is built up as we trust in the Lord and look to the future with hope.
Both Timothy and Titus were friends and companions of St. Paul. Their example follows the exhortation of Christ to let the light of our faith shine in the world.
When we conform our lives to God’s will we are united into Christ’s family. May the Lord’s love inspire us to faithfully follow him with sincere and open hearts.