2026 Cycle A - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah  58:7-10; Psalms  112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1 Cor 2:1-5; John 8:12; Matt 5:13-16

Homily Theme

Light into the Darkness

Several words stood out for me as I read the Scriptures for this Sunday, but the ones that really stand out are Light & Darkness. The Psalm response says: The just man is a light in the darkness to the upright. The main body of the Psalm continues to outline those that really are the Just. This means those who are truly living the teachings of Jesus, must be like Paul in the second reading: they must be the light that enables those Spiritually Blind to be able to see

In the First Reading, the prophet Isaiah lists several necessary things to be done by those who wish to be that light to others. Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, then your light shines for others to see in the darkness  Are we that charitable to the less fortunate? Are we really endeavoring to be a light in their Darkness? We will be reminded of that in the Psalm Response. 

In the Alleluia verse, Jesus says He is the light of the world and whoever follows Him will have the light of life.  In the Gospel Jesus also says we are the light of the World. Do others see our light? Perhaps, it could be that we hear the Word and have not switched on our light ? We must be that light for others to see.  Have we brought any one the into the  Church that we profess to believe in? Have we brought any to Mass so that they may receive the Light? Ponder this in your prayers this week

I have high-lighted two Words so that I myself might remember them and live the scriptures that I have chosen for you this Sunday. Secondly, so that you too, may realize that as Catholics, we are all very blessed to hear the same Scripture Passages in every Catholic Church at Mass, unlike many non Catholic Churches where the Preacher picks his own Scripture Readings to read and to preach.  We are not only one in the same Holy Eucharist, but also one in the Word at every Mass, when every priest keeps the rule. Another good reason to attend Mass each Sunday we will hear the entire Bible read to us in the course of a three year period because the Church has wisely an A, B &C Cycle.  We are presently in the ‘A’. We are a full Bible Church: in 3 years we will hear the entire Bible read.

The words of the Sacred Scriptures that stood out for me this week are those of Jesus the Lord. We are all reminded by Him, that we are the Salt of the earth and the Light of the World. Let us pray that we will be that to all we meet this week, especially to family members and friends, so that they too, may Taste & See the goodness of the Lord.

They will if we are also striving to be a Light in their Darkness