Liturgy of the Word:
Is. 58:7-10;
Ps. 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9;
1 Cor. 2:1-5;
Mt. 5:13-16.
1st Reading
Is. 58:7-10. The Lord tells Isaiah to proclaim the transgression of his people. They fast only to quarrel and fight (vv. 1-5). The fast that the Lord chooses is: “releasing those bound unjustly; setting free the oppressed” (v. 6); “sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; clothing the naked... and not turning your back on your own flesh” (v. 7). “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn.... Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer... and he will say: ‘Here I am!’” (vv. 8-9). “If you lavish your food on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall become like midday” (v. 10).
Resp.
Ps. 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9. “Light shines through the darkness for the upright, gracious, compassionate, and righteous.... He shall never be shaken; the righteous shall be remembered forever” (vv. 4-6). “His heart is steadfast, trusting the Lord; tranquil, without fear.... Lavishly he gives to the poor; his righteousness shall endure forever” (vv. 8-9).
2nd Reading
1 Cor. 2:1-5. Paul tells the Corinthians that he proclaimed the “mystery of God” (i.e., God’s plan of salvation) to them “not with the sublimity of words or of wisdom.” He proclaims the crucified Christ (vv. 1-2). Although he comes to them in weakness, fear, and trembling, he proclaims Christ to them “with a demonstration of spirit and power, so that (their) faith might rest not on human wisdom, but on the power of God” (vv. 3-5). But to the mature, he speaks “a wisdom, not a wisdom of this age, nor of rulers, but God’s wisdom” (vv. 6-7).
Gospel
Mt. 5: 13-16. Similes of Salt and Light. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned. It is no longer good for anything” (v. 13). As people of the Beatitudes (vv. 1-12), we are “salt to others”; we are called not only to preserve (as salt does) our blessedness but also to spread joy, kindness, goodness, compassion, and peace to others, and influence them for good.
“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” (vv. 14-16). Christ has given us the light of faith. We are to transmit this light, our faith in Christ, to others that we may all be guided to him, the Light of the World, the light of salvation.
Today’s Liturgy of the Word revolves around the word “light.” The righteous, holy, and just are lights that shine in the darkness. They serve the hungry, the oppressed, the poor, the needy, and the marginalized. They are a light that guides others to the light of Christ. We are called to be such a light. By our deeds of love and service to the poor, we proclaim the Lord to others with power and wisdom.
Prayer
Keep your family safe, O Lord, with unfailing care, that, relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace, they may be defended always by your protection, through Christ our Lord. Amen.