On this Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A, the Church meditates on the Gospel of Saint Matthew (Mt 5:13–16), which presents the continuation of the Sermon on the Mount. After proclaiming the Beatitudes, Jesus uses images from everyday life to define the nature and function of His followers. This text is central to the Christian life, for it reminds us that the holiness received through grace must manifest itself as a public and transforming witness, always aimed at the glory of God.
As we have done in recent Sundays, we present below five points to help you pray with this Gospel. These points were meditated upon in the podcast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk13CuvQDi0), which you may access to listen to our sharing. You can also access the text of this lectio and previous ones in the “Formation” section of the Shalom Community website: https://comshalom.org/en/category/formation-en/
- The salt of the earth
Jesus uses the metaphor of salt (cf. Mt 5:13) to describe the presence of the Christian in society, highlighting its function of giving flavor and preserving from corruption. The disciple is called to be Kadosh — sanctified and set apart for God — acting in such a way as to confer the sense of eternity upon temporal realities. Just as salt needs to disappear into the food for the flavor to prevail, the Christian carries out his mission discreetly, allowing God’s presence to be felt without becoming the center of attention. This must be done in the proper measure, for food with too much salt becomes inedible.
The effectiveness of this symbol lies in the preservation of its essence; if salt loses its flavor, it becomes useless and serves only to be trampled underfoot. This warning refers to the danger of the disciple being contaminated by the mentality of the world, losing his supernatural strength and identity. A Christianity that becomes bland, renouncing evangelical truth in order to be accepted, ceases to fulfill its purpose of witness and of moral and spiritual preservation of humanity.
- The light of the world
By stating that the disciples are the light of the world (Mt 5:14), the Lord indicates that they participate in His own luminous nature (cf. Jn 8:12; 9:5). The Christian does not possess his own light, but functions like a mirror or like the moon that reflects the sun’s brightness; his luminosity comes from an intimate union with Christ, communicated by the Holy Spirit. This light has the mission of dispelling the darkness of error and sin, guiding humanity’s path toward an encounter with the Risen One. Here as well, the disciple must take care to illuminate with the proper intensity, so as not to blind by an excess of light. This is not an attenuation of witness, but charity toward those who are still far from the Lord.
- Placing the lamp on the stand
The Christian faith demands visibility and cannot be lived in a hidden or merely private way. Jesus uses the image of a city set on a hill and of a lamp placed on a lampstand to emphasize that the truth of the Gospel must illuminate every sphere of life. Hiding the light under a vessel represents omission out of fear of judgment or due to human respect. Witness must occupy a place of prominence in the disciple’s existence — in the family, at work, and in public life — so that its brightness may reach everyone.
- The radiance of good works
The radiance of the Christian is manifested concretely through the uprightness of his actions and the practice of charity. It is not a display of personal virtues, but a unified life in which word and deed converge toward the Good. As Saint Ignatius of Antioch taught, Christianity manifests its true greatness especially when it faces the opposition of the world, for the authenticity of good works withstands trials and reveals the power of grace acting within human weakness.
- Praise of the Father
The ultimate goal of all witness and of every good work is that people may glorify the Father who is in heaven (cf. Mt 5:16). The center of the mission is not the disciple himself, nor the exaltation of the Institution, but the fulfillment of “hallowed be Thy name.” When the world recognizes goodness in the actions of Christians, it is led to the adoration of the Father, the Source of all holiness. The entire life of the disciple must be a path that points to God, leading the Father to be known, loved, and praised through His children.
Steps of Lectio Divina
Reading (lectio): Read Matthew 5:13–16 slowly. Observe the authority of Jesus when He says, “You are…” and identify the images of salt, light, the city on the hill, and the lamp.
Meditation (meditatio): Have I given the flavor of Christ to my environments, or have I become bland (contaminated) in order to be accepted? Do my works lead people to praise God, or do they seek only my own promotion? In what ways have I “hidden the light” out of fear of others’ judgment?
Prayer (oratio): Pray, for example, as follows: “Lord Jesus, You who are the true Light, grant me the courage to be a witness to Your truth. Purify my intentions so that the salt of my faith may not lose its flavor, and may my works always contribute to the praise of the Father…” (continue your prayer as the Spirit inspires you).
Contemplation (contemplatio): Adore Jesus Christ as the Light of the world. Remain in silence before the Lord, allowing His presence to purify your gaze and renew your desire for holiness.
Action (actio): Choose one concrete situation this week in which to act with transparency and charity, bearing witness to your faith in a clear and serene way in your workplace or within your family.
Until next week!
Shalom!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk13CuvQDi0
