Jesus is calling on us, With the gospel of Jesus Christ,

through the world, as salt and light, to reach the lost.

We are salt and we are light, here’s our job.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Isaiah 58:7-10

Fast by sharing your food

With the hungry, bring to your house the homeless,

clothe the one you see naked and do not turn away from your own kin.

Then will your light break forth as the dawn and your healing come in a flash.

Your righteousness will be your vanguard, the glory of the Lord your rearguard.

 

Then you will call and the Lord will answer, you will cry and he will say, I am here.

If you remove from your midst the yoke, the clenched fist and the wicked word,

if you share your food with the hungry and give relief to the oppressed, then your light will rise in the dark, your 

night will be like noon.

 

Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (4a) 

The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

When I came to reveal to you the mystery of God's plan, I did not count on eloquence or on a show of learning.

I was determined, not to know anything among you, but Jesus, the Messiah, and a crucified Messiah.

I, myself, came; weak, fearful and trembling; my words, and preaching, were not brilliant, or clever to win listeners.

It was, rather, a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might be a matter, not of human wisdom, but of God's power.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?

It has become useless. It can only be thrown away and people will trample on it.

You are the light of the world. A city built on a mountain cannot be hidden.

No one lights a lamp and covers it; instead, it is put on a lamp stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, your light must shine before others, so that they may see the good you do, and praise your Father in heaven.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Lectio Divina

We have Christ within us.

 

Read: The Prophet Isaiah specifies how we can manifest God's brightness and goodness:

to do good, to do justice, show mercy, and not oppress others.

St. Paul emphasizes that all this would not depend so much on our abilities or the greatness of our efforts but rather on Christ,

who is within us. When we allow Christ, the True Light, to shine through us, we become true salt and true light.

The Lord Jesus highlights this as our true vocation and mission in the gospel.

 

Reflect: God created us and has sent us into the world not just to be a decoration but for a bigger purpose.

To a world where there is tastelessness and darkness, we are sent to bring about good taste and light.

Where there is violence and sin, we are to bring peace and reconciliation.

Where there is hatred and indifference, we are to bring love and compassion.

 

This may be difficult as we struggle with self-centeredness, pride, and hardheadedness.

But we have Christ within us. If we allow Him to empower us daily by constantly reflecting on His words

and to penetrate our hearts through daily prayer, we also grow with Him. We may not become perfect,

but we can grow in making ourselves a reflection of His goodness and love.

 

Pray: Lord, thank you for being with me. Empower me to be a reflection of your light today. 

 

Act: Let us do our little share to be a light, a friend, a brother or sister to others.