Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk                                   

 Fifth Sunday of the Year, A – Feb 5, 2017

Readings: Is 58:7-10; Responsorial Psalm Ps 122:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1st Cor 2:1-5; 

Gospel Mat 5:13-16.

Theme:  Salt and Light as Recipes of Faith

The metaphor of light is very strong in Christianity. Today, the Prophet Isaiah in our first reading (Is 58:7-10) invites us to let our “light break forth like the dawn.” He goes ahead to insist that only when we remove oppression, false accusation and malicious speech and make efforts at giving bread to the hungry as well as satisfying the afflicted shall our light rise in the darkness. What was meant for a people in travail is also meant for us today because our circumstances are not any different from that of ancient Israel.

The Prophet was speaking hope into an oppressed people. This message resounds today as he also invites us to be light bearers. We are talking of no other light than the Light of Christ. This resonates with the call of Christ in the gospel (Mat 5:13-16) that his disciples should be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Jesus explains the metaphor of salt and light by insisting that if salt loses it taste, it can no longer be seasoned or useful in any way but only to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

Concerning light, he makes the point that no one lights a lamp and puts it under the bushel basket; instead, it is put on a lampstand where it gives light to everyone in the house. These strong analogies speak to the heart of our liturgy namely, “Salt and Light as Recipes of Faith” – Here, salt becomes the seasoning which spices our faith for timeless seasoning. Light then, becomes the touch or candle that endlessly lights our way of faith.

Through this teaching, Jesus draws us to great insights on usefulness for the kingdom. By insisting that our light should shine in order that others may be drawn and give glory to the father, the Master wants us to use our life, time and resources for his service. He draws our attention to letting the candle of our lives burn out for others. The message is clear – if a candle does not burn out, it cannot illumine the house – in the same manner, our life must be the Bible others have to read in order to know Christ.  

In the second reading (1st Cor 2:1-5), St. Paul instructs that if we must succeed in letting our candle of faith burnt brightly, we must rely on the power of God. Far from mere human wisdom, logic or eloquence, the Pauline message reminds us that it is the power of God at work in us that can help us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Our liturgy calls us to demonstrate faith in the daily events of our lives like our homes and places of work in a manner that Muslims, Traditional Worshippers and Non-believers can notice our witnessing and be drawn to the Christian faith.  

St. Paul prepares a template for Christians on why it is necessary for us to be children of light. In citing the way of life for children of the light, he says: “But it is not as if you live in the dark, my brothers, for that Day to overtake you like a thief. No, you are all sons of the light and sons of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness, so we should not go sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober. Night is the time for sleepers to sleep and drunkards to be drunk, but we belong to the day and we should sober; let us put on faith and love for a breastplate, and the hope of salvation for a helmet” (1^st Thess 5:1-28). May the light of Christ help us to live oust the life of faith through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Have a great week ahead!