February 5, 2023 (Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A)

After learning about last week’s blessings of the Beatitudes, this week’s readings teach us how to share what we have received in the name of Christ.

In the First Reading (Is. 58:7-10) Isaiah is speaking to the people who have been or are going to be released from captivity in Babylon. Now that they have finally achieved that which they longed for – to return to their homeland – they are to offer some sort of remuneration for that which they have received and show their appreciation for their release.

The way the LORD describes it is they should behave through acts of charity and compassion for the poor since they were once oppressed in a foreign nation. They are to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, and support their own people in need. If they do this then their “light,” or goodwill, will be apparent and the injuries they had suffered in exile will be exonerated with the LORD behind them as a rear guard to guide them.

Also, if they remove from their midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech, and if they satisfy the afflicted, their wounds shall be quickly healed, and their light will shine even brighter bringing illumination into their own darkness and gloom.

Just as Isaiah compares the humanitarian to light for those in the darkness, in the Gospel (Mt. 5:13-16) Jesus uses three analogies for his disciples to describe people of goodwill – salt, light, and a city set on a mountain. Specifics on these items are ways they are to help the oppressed in their midst.

The first analogy that Jesus describes is the flavor of salt. During the time of Jesus, salt was used to give flavor to food, to preserve it, to purify, and as part of sacrifices. Though salt may not lose its taste, it may become tainted so that its taste is weakened. If the teaching of the disciples became tainted they would be like the ruined salt, they would be good for nothing in their ministry.

Next Jesus uses the same analogy as Isaiah, that is light. Light is meant to be seen by those in the darkness. It has no value if covered up and hidden. The disciples are to display the light of Jesus by doing the good works which God intends for them. If the disciples neglect their duties to spread God’s word and do His work, they become useless like putting a lamp under a bushel. Jesus tells them that they should become visible to their followers like a lamp set on a lampstand. He emphasizes, “your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt. 5:16).

Finally, Jesus extends his teaching on being a lightened lamp by referring to a city positioned on top of a hill. It is not meant to be hidden; a city on a hill is meant to be seen and found even in the darkness of night. In the same way, the light of Christ is not meant to be hidden on the earth. It is meant to shine out brightly from all who belong to Christ. It is meant to be discovered by those still in the darkness. Christ’s light should not be covered up in the lives of his disciples. It is meant to be seen and they are meant to carry it.

These words are not just a lesson for the disciples of Jesus. They apply to us as well as members of the church of Christ. They teach us that we must share with others what we have learned as Christians. When we are enlightened the light gives us a sense of awareness, knowledge, and understanding about Jesus. We must be enlightened by the teachings of Jesus so that we can inform others to the truth of God’s word, especially about who Christ is and how he died and rose again for our salvation.

Next we must be like salt that does not lose its flavor and become ineffective as a preservative. We must preserve the stories of Jesus’ good will and forgiving heart so that those who seek him will not be left with bland teachings. Rather they will learn the good works of Jesus filled with the everlasting flavor of sincerity.

Finally, we must shine like a city on a hill, bright enough for the entire world to see. For Jesus came into the world and endured the Paschal Mystery so that all nations could be saved from his example and what it means to live fully in tuned to the workings of the Holy Trinity.

Salt, light, a city on a hill. These are what transform us into disciples of the Lord working toward the salvation of all humanity and the Kingdom of God.