Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 9, 2020

Homily Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 9, 2020

First reading. Isaiah 58:6-10

Responsorial Psalm 111(112):4-9. "A Light rises in the darkness for the upright"

Second reading. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 
Alleluia, alleluia! I am the light of the World says the Lord. The man who follows me will have the light of life.

Gospel. Matthew 5:13-16

Shutterstock Image: stock photo ID: 1053699263. Historic Hilltop Church with Painted Hill Side Buildings at Sunset (Guayaquil, Ecuador).By Daniel Andis
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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 9, 2020 by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-fifth-sunday-ordinary-time-a/s-jXbVh
 (EPISODE:205)
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Prologue:  According to the gospel this weekend...  we are called to be "good-for-something"  -  real and active ingredients in the mix of life.....  not just unfathomable religious observers who undertake mysterious repetitions of rituals without any reference to the world around us and having no impact on the lives of those around us, especially those in need.  No, Jesus came to show us that being part of the family of God is something that all are invited into, and authentic service of God has real and practical effects on the welfare of those around us.  We are called to be Salt, Light and a City....    

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The three images in the gospel are powerful this weekend...   

We are to be Salt....  Light... and a City built on a hilltop.......    

What is interesting about all three of these images is that they are not self-serving. the purpose of these three things is to serve the needs of others....    salt adds flavour to food...  light helps show the way... and a city gathers a community together, shares resources and skills and supports the good of all.  So too, the Kingdom of God..  it is not for what i can get out of it, but rather, what i can give to God and others.

Salt is really only is useful when its mixed with food or water....  or interacts with food..  to flavour, preserve and purify it...  Our faith only makes sense when it mixes in with practical actions and loving care and charity.  

In different parts of the different gospels, there is a similar idea used by our Lord,  our identity and the Kingdom of God is involved with being mixed well-into the rest...  whether its salt mixed into food... or -  leaven kneaded  into the dough... both give that image of really immersing oneself into life and mixing in with it and lifting it up to new levels...  transforming it - for the better.

In the first reading we have the question posed...  what kind of fasting please you most, O God.  And the Lord answers ...  A true a pleasing fast....   - is shown by feeding the hungry...   helping the homeless....   clothe the naked....    loosening the unjust bonds that tie up the poor.... ....   breaking yokes and freeing from slavery...  and stopping speaking badly of others, an end to gossiping and slandering others...   avoiding any kind of hateful speech...    refraining from pointing fingers...   

Jesus shows us a vision of the Kingdom that involves practical kindness and care of others and contributing to the raising up of dignity and the increase  of compassion.

Light guides our steps  and draws us to safety,..      and of course a huge, attractive, welcoming city on a hill cannot be hidden...  It is seen by all and inspires and draws people to it.  

If any of God's servants spent their days performing the actions of the disciple but like someone who is 'play-acting'  or 'going through the motions'   we would be as useless and as stale salt and as unhelpful as a light never turned on.  and as uninspiring and repulsive as a city, hidden away and unwelcoming.  

If Our Lord's disciples and his church is meant to be like a "lighthouse"  then  the following excellent quote makes a lot of sense...  "Lighthouses don't primarily blow horns... they just shine...."  - so the shining light of their example is much of a guide and inspiration than a whole lot of hot air and noise... 

In the second reading, we again see the instruction that it is essential that we put our hope and dependence on God and not merely our own human willpower, strength or ambitions.We are disciples of the Kingdom of God. we are not here to build up the Kingdom of "self"

The readings this weekend clearly point us to how we are to live our discipleship.  "To be generous, merciful and just and to share of oneself, a sharing that hurts,  and can be a cross to carry.... " But with God's grace we can be that disciple...  Salt, Light, a City.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Kersten, J. (2013). New-- St. Joseph Sunday missal Canadian Edition. New Jersey: Catholic Book Publishing Corp., p.p.215.

Link, M. (1992). Vision.  Year A. Allen, Tex.: Tabor Pub.

Shutterstock Image: stock photo ID: 1053699263. Historic Hilltop Church with Painted Hill Side Buildings at Sunset (Guayaquil, Ecuador).By Daniel Andis
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au

To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
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Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:

"Faith, Hope and Love, A time of Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, revised - 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA).

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins Publishers. 

Prayers of the Faithful - from "Together we pray". by Robert Borg'. © 1993. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers.

{Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - by Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. Including The Gloria. Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org} 

"Faith, Hope and Love" hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music Paul W. Kelly. © 1996. Updated lyrics by Paul Kelly and Stefan Kelk, arranged and sung by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

Please visit homilycatholic.blogspot.com

Production - Kelly Enterprises Resources.            May God bless and keep you. 

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A
(Sunday, February 9, 2020)

(EPISODE: 205 )

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{May Our Lord's grace and love abide in you}}

My brothers and sisters, trusting in Gods mercy and love let us call to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you are the image of the unseen God: Lord, have mercy.//You are the firstborn of all creation: Christ, have mercy//You are the head of the body, the Church: Lord, have mercy//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation

1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

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Sundays Ordinary IV

Eucharistic Prayer One

Communion side. pwk: LH
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{Thanks for joining us for this time of prayer and reflection}

Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)