Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Forward: As always, writing about faith brings with it a unique challenge. How can I as a writer bring you a perspective on the faith that you haven’t heard already? How can I prepare reflections that will simultaneously aid your faith and inform you? So, this week, I’m doing something different. I will write with the books that have helped me grow in my own faith. These are not limited to books from theology or religion. I have chosen books from many genres which show God’s grace and wisdom. All wisdom comes from God and is inspired by God. I sincerely hope they help you to grow in your faith as well. Let’s just say we’re booked for this week, so let’s get on the same page and start this new chapter together.

This Sunday, the Fifth in Ordinary time, we encounter some of the most iconic sayings of Jesus. He declares that His followers are to be the salt of the Earth, and the light of the World. Salt and light, two things not normally associated together. Salt, of course, is used to season food today. We might think Jesus is telling us to add zest to life. This is not what He is saying. Jesus lived on Earth in ancient times when salt was used as a preservative for food. Salt was so important because it kept food from perishing. One could go hungry without it. Salt preserves what is needed for life. Christians are meant to preserve their lives by their example and conduct.

The prophet Isaiah called the people of God, Israel, to be a light to the nations. They were called by God to be an example to others and to lead others to faith in God. To be a light to others is a major challenge. It means that one carries the burden of being a moral example, for to be in the light means that you will be under scrutiny. Christ did not call His followers to an easy life. He has called, and continues to call us, to live as light for others. This means sharing what you have with others. Share food with the hungry and your money and resources with those who have nothing. “The just one is a light in the darkness for the upright” (Responsorial Psalm 112:4).

Jesus declared that a city set on a mountain “cannot be hidden.” We are called to live so that no one questions our holiness and sincere Christian identity. No person lived this out more than St. Theresa of Calcutta. She lived out a mission to the poor that was acclaimed by many. She started out as a missionary with the Loretto Sisters. She taught in schools in India for almost 20 years. Then, in 1948, she experienced what she described as “a call within a call.” She desired to go to “the poorest of the poor.” She faced skepticism from her superiors and Church authorities. Nonetheless, she persisted in this call and eventually founded a new congregation for working with the poor. Her new order had more than 20 new sisters in less than ten years, and the Archbishop of Calcutta praised their work. She gained Worldwide recognition over time. She even won the Nobel Peace Prize, and the United Nations Secretary called her “the most influential woman in the world” in 1985. She truly cooperated with God’s grace living as a light to others. I recommend reading the book Come Be My Light to learn about her humble and still amazing journey of faith.

Reflection by Br. Matthew Marie, OSB