The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A 

Collect

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 our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection

'This rather is the type of fast that I wish: to share your bread with the hungry and to offer shelter to the homeless poor, to clothe the naked when you behold them and not turn your back on your own kin.” 

We can say that the social problems present in the time of the Prophet Isaiah are still with us to this very day.  Through its social commitment and various works and initiatives, the Church encounters these challenges on a daily basis.  Despite the economic progress that we often hear about, we still find social situations today similar to those in the Old Testament. 

How relevant the Scriptures are!  How mistaken are they that say that the words in Scripture are ancient and have nothing to say about the life we live today!  The Prophet continues to encourage us to not remain indifferent when faced with situations like these but to roll up our sleeves, use our hands and see who, where, and how we can be of assistance. 

When I care about those in need, the wounds caused by my egoism are healed.  Before me stands God’s justice which opens my eyes and transforms the false perceptions I have about those in need.  My good and concrete actions lead those that benefit from them to give glory to the Lord for touching my heart and overcoming my indifference to their cry. 

In Psalm 111 (112) we pray: “Well for the man who is gracious and lends, 
who conducts his affairs with justice.”  Living by justice helps me avoid falling into the temptation of only filling my own pockets and also calls me to be concerned with seeing that those in need do not lack what is essential, as well as ministering to their other needs.  In the Psalm we also pray “An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm.”  What causes people to falter most is when they ignore those on peripheries of society, while they continue to live insulated within their own comfort zones.  The following verse in this Psalm states: “his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.”  God, who is the fountain of every spiritual and material good, consoles us each time He sees us opening our hearts and hands to those who, in their sufferings, bear His image and likeness.  

This is the same “power of God” expressed by St Paul to the Corinthians in the Second Reading.  And what is the power of God if not that human beings, whom He created with great love, be given the dignity they deserve! 

If we heed the words of the Prophet, we will truly become the salt of the earth that Jesus speaks about in the Gospel.  We will also become the light of the world; a city built on a mountain and a light on a lampstand that illuminates the lives of others so that they may see His good works and give praise to the Father in Heaven. 

Prayer 

Lord, give us the grace to worship You and to respecting our neighbour, so that we will become the salt of the earth and a reflection of You, who are the light of the world. Amen.