Salt and Light 5th Sunday Ordinary Time Year A
Isaiah 58:7-10; Psalm 112; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16
In the Gospel passage, Jesus tells his disciples that they are to be like salt, which brings out the best qualities of food. However, Pitre comments that, unlike salt that does not lose its saltiness, we, as disciples of Jesus, can lose the ability to bring out the best in other people.[1]
Commenting on Jesus comparing his disciples to salt, Cardinal Sarah stated: “Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth, not the sugar of the earth!”[2] Sometimes, we are called to be prophetic to those we relate to and in so doing may disturb them and be considered as not nice and sweet but instead salty.
Jesus also teaches that we are to be like lights that shine before others, leading them to the heavenly Father. The light that is to shine from us is the good deeds that we do, as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
When we lack the good deeds of charity, we lose our saltiness and our light-like qualities, and, in the words of Jesus, become “no longer good for anything”. James, in his letter, reiterates Jesus’ teaching by asserting, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:26)
The first and second readings specify the good deeds that we are to do. In the first reading, Isaiah tells us to feed the hungry, provide shelter for the homeless, clothe the naked, and care for our family members. The Responsorial Psalm names the one who does these good deeds as a “just man” who “is a light in darkness to the upright”.
There are many ways by which we can do these good deeds, which are traditionally included in the corporal works of mercy. For example, Pitre suggests that when parents feed their children with love, clothe them, and provide a loving home, they are doing good deeds. In addition, when, later in life, children feed, clothe, and provide a loving home for their elderly parents, they are likewise doing good deeds. [3]
When we do these good deeds, as inspired by the Holy Spirit and participating in Jesus’ love, the light of God shines forth from us, helping to give direction to people so that as many people as possible can know how to draw close to the Heavenly Father, who wants all his children to care for one another in truthful, loving ways.
Perhaps the Holy Spirit is inspiring us to do good deeds. If so, are we listening to the Holy Spirit? Are we aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives? If not, what are we listening to? What is motivating us to act? Are we aware that by our baptism we are to evangelize the world, by being lights in the darkness?
As is evident in the second reading, Paul was aware of his calling to evangelize, to be a light in the world. Paul fulfilled his calling as a light to the world through the spiritual works of mercy: instructing the ignorant, counseling the doubtful, and admonishing the sinner. He did so not be relying on fancy argumentation, “with sublimity of words or of wisdom” but simply preaching Jesus Christ, and him crucified, for Jesus has truly risen from the dead, demonstrating that his sacred true love is stronger than sin, death, and the evil one. May God Bless You, Father Peter
[1] Brant Pitre, “Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A),” catholicproductions.com.
[2] Robert Cardinal Sarah, The Day is Now Far Spent, trans. Michael J. Miller (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2019), Kindle Location 4727.
[3] Brant Pitre, “Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A),” catholicproductions.com.
Catholic Evangelization 