The healing encounter between Jesus and the blind man brings about the gift of sight, followed later by the gift of faith. We, too, in the darkness of our ignorance and sin, call upon the Lord to foster spiritual sight within our hearts to help us journey through this life to the next.
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.
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.
From the prophecy of Isaiah to the preaching of Christ, the Lord’s light banishes the darkness in our hearts and leads us to repent of our sins. May we walk in his light!
The Prologue of the Gospel of John offers a beautiful, mystical reflection on the person of Jesus Christ. The Lord, who is the Word made flesh, is the light of the world who shines in the darkness. May we run to this light!
The First Letter of John offers us a crucial spiritual insight about our relationship with the Lord and one another. May our desire to follow Jesus Christ inspire us to continue to walk in his light as we love one another.
Just as John the Baptist was “a burning and shining lamp” that guided the people to Jesus, we, too, are called by the Lord to shine with the light of Christ in the world today.
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