Gospel Reflection Feb 8 – Fr. Fox
Sunday, February 8
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 5: 13-16
Gospel:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
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.”
Gospel Reflection:
Today, our gospel passage examines what our Christian identity should look like. If we understand how deeply our faith defines us, it can inspire a sense of purpose and belonging in our community.
Jesus today tells us what God intends our Christian identity to resemble. It is to resemble salt, a city on a hill, and light. These are curious metaphors, but each has special significance for the character of Christianity. For example, salt, in its basic use, enhances the flavor of food. Salt is used to make the intricacies of food stand out more to the palate and to help us better appreciate a food’s unique flavor. It emphasizes and enlivens whatever it is added to.
So, it should be with us as Christians. Christian values such as compassion, justice, and humility should enliven our society by inspiring acts of kindness and service. Often, people use Christianity to judge or accuse others, but our goal should be to highlight each person’s uniqueness and celebrate what makes them special. If Christianity is viewed as a means of helping people live better, happier, and healthier lives, and we are seen as the catalyst for that change, we become a source of joy in our world. We have plenty of naysayers around. What our communities need is a vision of faith, hope, love, and unity. Our Catholic faith should be seen as fulfilling that need we all so desperately crave.
We should be like a city on a hill. All can easily see the city on a hill. Its beauty shines because it is so visible, and its occupants are meticulous about its appearance. It is meant to stand out, to be seen, to be admired. A city is intentionally built on a hill so that it can be a beacon to all around as a place of safety, a refuge in times of trouble, and a center of communal life. The Catholic Church should also stand out, be seen, and be admired. We can do this by actively welcoming newcomers, practicing genuine compassion, and living out our faith visibly in our actions. Our community can become a beacon by fostering an environment of love, service, and openness, inviting others to experience Christ’s light through us.
We should be that light on a lampstand. We are the light of the world! Our faith in Christ means we have turned away from selfishness and deceitful ways and centered our lives on the betterment of others. This is not just how we should live; this is how all of humanity should be. We must be seen as the way of love. Being seen as people willing to sacrifice for the good of all, bearers of the good news that we have one Lord who loves us so much that he showed us how to sacrifice. One man’s goodness changed humanity forever. We need to carry that same goodness to those who are without it, to those who live in darkness, fear, and hopelessness. We are to be leaders.
This leads us to some final questions: are we these people? Does our faith community live up to the standards set by our leader, Jesus Christ? Are we willing to make our Church an enhancer of our community, a beacon to others, that light shining in the darkness? Are we part of the problem or part of the solution? We all need to ask ourselves these hard questions and give truthful answers if we wish to be called Christians. We are fast approaching the season of Lent, when those questions and answers should be explored. How to make each of us better people and grow as true Christians.
Father Fox