Salt and Light

JUNE 13, 2023 TUESDAY
MEMORIAL OF SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (White) 
CYCLE A - YEAR I
Lectionary: 360

Reading 1
2 Cor 1:18-22

Brothers and sisters:
As God is faithful, our word to you is not "yes" and "no."
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us,
Silvanus and Timothy and me,
was not "yes" and "no," but "yes" has been in him.
For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him;
therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory.
But the one who gives us security with you in Christ
and who anointed us is God;
he has also put his seal upon us
and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 119:129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135

R. (135a) Lord, let your face shine on me.

Wonderful are your decrees;
therefore I observe them.

R. Lord, let your face shine on me.

The revelation of your words sheds light,
gives understanding to the simple.

R. Lord, let your face shine on me.

I gasp with open mouth
in my yearning for your commands.

R. Lord, let your face shine on me.

Turn to me in pity
as you turn to those who love your name.

R. Lord, let your face shine on me.

Steady my footsteps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity rule over me.

R. Lord, let your face shine on me.

Let your countenance shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.

R. Lord, let your face shine on me.

Alleluia
Mt 5:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Let your light shine before others
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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."

GOSPEL REFLECTION: 

Each of us comes to the light because of love, and each of us is called to love in order to remain in the light.

PRAYER: 

Dear God, by Your grace, let me be Your 'little light' and lead others to You. In Jesus' name. AMEN. 

Salt And Light (FIFTH SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME - A)

FEBRUARY 05, 2023 SUNDAY
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Green)
CYCLE A - YEAR I
Lectionary: 73

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.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. (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.

Alleluia
Jn 8:12

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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."

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Knowing that God loves me unconditionally,

I look honestly over the last day, its events and my feelings.

Do I have something to be grateful for? Then I give thanks.

Is there something I am sorry for? Then I ask forgiveness.

PRAYER:

Lord, you are telling me something urgent here: in the moral blandness of western culture, you tell me to be counter-cultural, a strong taste, a light on a lampstand, proud not of myself but of the Gospel.