Well Seasoned, Well Lit

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Feb 9
First reading Isaiah 58:7-10

Thus says the Lord:

Share your bread with the hungry,

and shelter the homeless poor,

clothe the man you see to be naked

and do not turn from your own kin.

Then will your light shine like the dawn

and your wound be quickly healed over.

Your integrity will go before you

and the glory of the Lord behind you.

Cry, and the Lord will answer;

call, and he will say, ‘I am here.’

If you do away with the yoke,

the clenched fist, the wicked word,

if you give your bread to the hungry,

and relief to the oppressed,

your light will rise in the darkness,

and your shadows become like noon

Psalm                                                                            Psalm 111:4-9
Second reading                                                          1 Corinthians 2:1-5

When I came to you, brothers, it was not with any show of oratory or philosophy, but simply to tell you what God had guaranteed. During my stay with you, the only knowledge I claimed to have was about Jesus, and only about him as the crucified Christ. Far from relying on any power of my own, I came among you in great ‘fear and trembling’ and in my speeches and the sermons that I gave, there were none of the arguments that belong to philosophy; only a demonstration of the power of the Spirit. And I did this so that your faith should not depend on human philosophy but on the power of God.

Gospel                                                                         Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.

  ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’

Reflection by Rosalinda Markell

A newly wedded couple were opening their gifts after the reception.  One item that caught their attention was a wooden container with three bottles: one for the salt, another for pepper, and another for sugar.  On the container it was written "A well seasoned home".

How do we keep our homes (and communities) well seasoned? How do we become the salt that Jesus identifies us to be? By expressing our different opinions and conviction with lowliness, gentleness, and patience.  Easier said than done, right? But let's be open to the Spirit who will give us the power to react in love toward those whom we disagree with.  Often we make choices that are hurtful to other persons, even  to ourselves. Sometimes we wind up on the inflicting side and sometimes, on the victim side. Interestingly no matter which side we are on, we still suffer. But forgiveness brings healing. When someone has treated us poorly or has hurt us in word or in the way that they have behaved toward us, we can begin the healing process by making that decision to forgive. Our forgiveness serves like salt that preserves unity among believers. Our kindness becomes a light shining for the dark world to see, for fellow believers to be inspired of and praise God!

Prayer

Lord, may our walk and our services be a reflection of Your Light. Please fill us with the fruit of the Spirit so that we may be compassionate and forgiving. No matter how the other person has behaved toward us, we are responsible for what we do or say to them. May we always choose to be the salt of the earth and light of the world so as to maintain the unity You desire, Lord.  Amen.