FIRST READING
Jesus was not Yes and No,’ but in him if is always Yes.
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 1:18-22)
Brethren: As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No; but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God. But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 119: 129. 130. 131.I 32.133.135 (R. 135a)
R/. Lord, let your face shine forth on your servant.
Your decrees are wonderful indeed;
therefore my soul obeys them. R.
The unfolding of your word gives light,
and understanding to the simple. R.
I have opened my mouth and I sigh,
for I yearn for your commands. R.
R/. Lord, let your face shine forth on your servant.
Turn and have mercy on me,
as is your rule for those who love your name. R.
Let my steps be guided by your promise;
may evil never rule me. R.
Let your face shine forth on your servant,
and teach me your decrees. R.
ALLELU IA Matthew 5:16
Alleluia. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“You are the light of the world.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 5:13-16)
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s reflection
Jesus proclaims to the crowds that they are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. He doesn’t say, “Someday in the future, you will be the salt of the earth.” And he doesn’t say, “If you do everything I teach you, you will be the light of the world.” The crowd might have come to hear about God’s blessings, but instead they received an assignment, a job to be done: be salt and light. Jesus tells them that, just as salt season’s food and light brightens the darkness, they are to be disciples to make a difference! They are to add spice, flavor and vitality to life. Let your light shine. Uncover the lamp you have hidden. Respond to God’s love and goodness in word and deed. Equip us, O God, to be light and salt in the world.