05 February 2011

06 Feb 2011, Sunday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1
Is 58:7-10


Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am!
If you remove from your midst
oppression, false accusation and malicious speech;
if you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday.

Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Responsorial PsalmR. (4a)


The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.
An evil report he shall not fear;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
His justice shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2
1 Cor 2:1-5


When I came to you, brothers and sisters,
proclaiming the mystery of God,
I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling,
and my message and my proclamation
were not with persuasive words of wisdom,
but with a demonstration of Spirit and power,
so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom
but on the power of God.

Gospel
Mt 5:13-16


Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Meditation: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

“… so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:5)


Let’s talk about miracles. They were a regular part of Jesus’ ministry, and he even promised that we would do greater things than he did (John 14:12). So why don’t we see more miracles—either in the church or in our own lives?

Do you remember how, when he visited his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus was unable to perform many miracles because of the people’s lack of faith (Mark 6:1-6)? It’s not the only factor, but perhaps we should examine our own faith to see how deeply we trust in God’s power.

In today’s second reading, Paul tells the Corinthians that when he came to them, he didn’t rely on elo-quence or persuasive words but on heavenly power. Of course, Paul preached and reasoned with them.

Of course he encouraged them to search the Scriptures. But at the same time, he made sure that he left room for God to work mira-cles in their lives. He wanted the Corinthians to experience God so that their faith would be dynamic, life-changing, and full.

Let’s challenge our thinking today. God loves us, and he wants to work wonders in us and around us. So let’s step out in faith. Let’s make it a normal part of our faith to pray for miracles. We can start small, maybe by praying for a parking space or good weather. We can pray that our children do well on a test at school or that a meeting at work will go well. As our confidence grows, we can pray that God will help repair a wounded relationship or even heal a friend who is sick. All we have to do is begin to trust and pray; our Father will take care of the rest.

Jesus told us to ask and seek and knock. So let’s knock on his door every day. He wants to give us good things, if only we will ask and believe!

“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!”

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