Homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary time – Feb. 8, 2026

Isaiah 58: 7 – 10. 1 Cor. 2: 1 – 5 Matthew 5:13 – 16

Jesus Christ is the Light of the World.  He is the son of God and the shining of the Father’s light – Remember he said:  when you see me you see the Father, Jesus shows us our God of Love. of mercy and of compassion.   Now as his disciples, we are called to be Christ’s light in the world.  It all sounds so beautiful – but we need Isaiah to give us the practical terms in our everyday affairs. He writes about the works of mercy, the works of love for others. 

Isaiah is concerned with the community of Israel returning from exile and trying to live the promise of God for Israel to be God’s people.   Which is for us as well – we are God’s people, it all relies on our participation in the fulfillment – our actions of love and compassion, actions of a faith community committed to God’s word. 

We must look beyond our Sunday Mass to the daily living out of our faith life in actions that mirror the heart of God that we see in Jesus.   We are to be Christ in the world now.   We have his spirit.  We have his call as baptized in his name. 

So, the only way forward is for our faith in Christ to shine like the light in the darkness, or be the salt of the earth.  Bringing out the best in ourselves and others.  Bringing something new to the world.  So today is an invitation, a real moment of discernment.  How am I to be this light for others?  It’s a very personal cal.  How do I embrace this role now. 

So the question seems to be: Are we authentic Christians.  Maybe a very key word for our time.  Being authentic would be good.  Looking around our western culture, not much feels right at this moment in time.  Everything seems out of sync.   We need to recalibrate our world to right values.  

Jesus warns us in this gospel today not to lose our ability to influence the world- our saltiness.

And don’t hide your light, your values of faith and courage to do the right thing. 

If we see ourselves the way Jesus does, we are the ones to bring things into right focus. This word today may be the wakeup call we need – be the light of Christ, show people the way to justice and peace.

In my worship aid, Debie Thomas writes:  

Whether we want to or not, whether we notice or not, whether we are intentional about it or not, we impact the world we live in.   Each one of us can make a difference.   Let’s be mindful of our choices and mindful of our actions. They have meaning for many.    That’s what Jesus is asking us today.  And the world needs us to do it.          

What’s the light we have, what’s the light we share with others?

Hope, love, respect, dignity, worth, acceptance, help, belonging, community, a future, a space  just to be.  Whatever the need is somehow we are there.

So it’s our discernment.  And discernment is identity.  So now in simplicity and clarity as St. Paul suggests, we look at our lives, who we are – what is my responsibility, what is my life now and out of this reality we act.  So, it’s not far flung, it’s right in front of us, what opportunities do I have today?

It’s changing the world by right actions for the poor, and needy among us.  All we have to do is look around to the many people who are struggling with life.  Seeking justice, trying to make ends meet caring for their family, those who need help to solve problems and feel a sense of belonging, of being treated with some dignity.  So many needs everywhere!!

We are the ones called to revolutionize our lives and the lives of those around us.  Being Christians means to incarnate, that is to actualize the teaching of Jesus.  Living Gospel lives.

So we look to Jesus always.  See him change people’s lives by love and attention. It happens when we live with love.