Today’s Readings – Sunday of Week 5 of Ordinary Time (A)

Commentary on Isaiah 58:7-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16

Today’s gospel immediately follows the Beatitudes. And the readings are saying that the Beatitudes must not only be lived, but seen to be lived. The Gospel reminds us that it is essential for the Christian disciple both to be seen and heard. Christianity is not a private religion. I am not just a Christian for me only. Christianity is a vision which is meant to change the world, and there is no doubt that, to a great extent, it has.

Several images
Jesus uses a string of images to express this: He wants his disciples to be the salt of the earth. Salt is a basic and essential item in our diet, but it had a particular value in ancient culture. It is a purifier, a seasoning and a p … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – Saturday of Week 4 of Ordinary Time - First Reading

Commentary on Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21

Today we conclude our reading of the Letter to the Hebrews. The first part of the reading gives some more instruction on how the Hebrew Christians ought to behave:

First, they are to offer God an unending sacrifice of praise, not now a sacrifice … Continue