Sunday Preparation

February 5, 2023

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16 (The Similies of Salt and Light)

Girardian Lectionary
'Sunday Connection' Scripture Commentary
RCL/Benziger Gospel Reflections
Bishop Robert Barron Sermon

Question of the Week (Adults): In what way might you be hiding the Light of Christ from others? What could you do to improve this?

Question of the Week (Children): How can you let the Light of Christ in you shine for others this week?

Catechism Connection

326 - Heaven and Earth
782 - The People of God

See the Online E-Book of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Saints This Week

February 5 Saint Agatha patron for Breast disease, Foundry workers, Nurses
February 6 Saint Paul Miki and Companions Japanese martyr
February 7 Blessed Rizziero of Muccia
February 8 Saint Josephine Bakhita
February 9 Saint Apollonia patron of Dentists, Toothache
February 10 Saint Scholastica patron of Nuns
February 11 Our Lady of Lourdes patron of bodily ills

Year A – Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

In this Gospel, Jesus compares the disciples to salt and to light. These are both things which can have an influence upon or transform something else. Jesus says to the disciples, “You are the light of the world.” When he says this, Jesus he puts a lot of trust in his disciples. We know that in fact Jesus is the light of the world, but he hands over this status and mission to his followers, to bring God's presence, truth, mercy, compassion to places which otherwise would be hard to reach. There is a Jewish saying, “God couldn’t be everywhere at once, so God invented mothers.” Well, likewise, Jesus couldn't be everywhere at once, so he invented disciples.

What is the advantage of lighting a candle only to put it under a tub or a bowl? No one will see it and it will soon go out. It is no use at all. Likewise, what is the use of a follower who has been given the light of Christ, this precious gift of God's truth, only to hide it or blow it out again? So Jesus needs his disciples, us, to carry on his mission. Every person in every place and time has a unique opportunity to take God's message to a place it has not been before, “to boldly go where no one has been before” as they used to say on Star Trek. Each person’s life is unique in the places you go, the people you meet, the influence and example you can have. This way, every place, every person, can have the light of the Gospel brought to it.

Jesus goes on to say, “your light must shine so that people seeing your good works may give the praise to your Father in heaven.” So it is these good works which people must see, so that people can become aware of God who inspires us to these good works. The good works must be a witness to God, not a source of our own pride.

In 1996 the US Conference of Catholic Bishops published a document called Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish which is based upon the teaching of this Gospel text, highlighting the work for justice and charity which needs to be undertaken by Catholic parishes. It is good advice for putting into practice what Jesus calls us to de

Lesson ideas – Jesus calls us to be light to the world. Each of us can bring light to a place which nobody else can. Doing good works is a witness to God.

February 12, 2023

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-37 (The Old Law and the New)

Girardian Lectionary
'Sunday Connection' Scripture Commentary
RCL/Benziger Gospel Reflections
 

Question of the Week (Adults): When in your life have you been able to keep the spirit as well as the letter of God's Law?

Question of the Week (Children): When have you taken the first step to make up with someone? 

Saints This Week

February 14 Saints Cyril and Methodius Co-Patrons of Europe
February 15 Saint Claude de la Colombiere
February 17 Blessed Luke Belludi
February 18 Blessed John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico) patron of Painters

Year A – Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today we hear the third part of the Sermon on the Mount. In it, Jesus expands upon the principles expounded in the Beatitudes.

The clearest theme running through today's readings is the Law. Jesus talks of his own attitude to the Law. He has come to fulfil it, not to abolish it. He explains what the Law really means, what is at the heart of it.

When I was in Elementary School I remember there were the Eleventh and Twelfth Commandments to add to the other Ten: “Thou shalt not get found out” and “Thou shalt not tell tales upon thy friends”. Both were clearly dishonest. They implied that the point about Law is to avoid being seen to break it.

Jesus contradicts this attitude in his teaching today. In all the examples he gives he is stressing that what truly matters before God is the attitude of the heart, even more than the keeping or breaking of the Law. For example, you must not kill ... you must not be angry with your brother ... It is still the case that you must not kill, but also you must not kill in your heart, through anger or hatred. Likewise, you must not commit adultery, nor even think think to do so in your heart, even if you do not commit the act. You are as guilty in your heart as in the act.

I think that all that we hear today is by way of illuminating the Beatitude “Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God”. All these examples talk of ‘purity of heart’, not just in the sense of avoiding breaking the Law, but of avoiding the attitudes and motivations which lead to it.

Likewise “Say yes when you mean yes” etc., purity as in simplicity and singlemindedness. Be singleminded in holding on to what is good and true, and don’t be duplicitous.

Jesus is trying to show that the Law truly understood is something of the heart, not just of external compliance. Look at the other readings today, especially the Psalm. The Law is seen as something which gives joy and life.

We all know that within each of us are feelings and motivations and desires which can lead to wrong-doing. So purity of heart is something which is always to be sought. We can never say that we have arrived. The upcoming season of Lent requires this discipline of us every year. Note that "purity of heart" is not only connected with the virtue of Chastity, but will all the virtues.

What Jesus seems to be asking is impossible: how can anyone become like this? Not by own efforts, rather to be carried along by God’s Law, as indicated in the Psalm, let it be a joy and a delight, then it becomes the habitual response, and leads us nearer to being “the pure in heart, who will see God.”

Scripture Resources for Catechists

• Seasonal Resources from Be My Disciples
• Cycle A, B and C Resources - from Loyola Press
• Girardian Lectionary - comments and exegesis on the Sunday Scriptures
• Lesson Strategies from Be My Disciples
• Sunday Connection for this week from Loyola Press
• Finding God - the Online Catechists Helper from Loyola Press (log in required)
• Sunday Homilies - from St Andrew's
• Midweek Reflection (signup) - From Liturgical Publications
• The Text This Week - Lectionary, Scripture Study, Worship Links and Resources 
• Audio of Daily Mass Readings - from the USCCB
• Video Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings - from the USCCB