By Father Paul Nord
Sunday Scripture
First Reading: Isaiah 58:7-10; Response: Psalm 112:4-9; Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16
In this passage of Isaiah, the Lord commands the Israelites to “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.” The preceding verses speak of fasting and other forms of self-sacrifice. The message is if we deny ourselves earthly comforts, then we can provide for others in their urgent need. This exhortation specifically applies to fellow Israelites — “do not turn your back on your own” — literally “your own flesh,” your own relation.
If the Israelites keep the Lord’s command, then they will receive the Lord’s blessing. This blessing is described by a series of metaphors: 1. your light breaking like dawn, 2. your wound being quickly healed, and 3. “the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.” The first two metaphors compare God’s blessing to these natural phenomena: the dawn’s light and the body’s healing. The last metaphor compares God’s blessing to a military force that protects the Israelites where they are most vulnerable.
Verse 9 begins with two lines of synonymous parallelism: “you shall call … you shall cry for help” and “the Lord will answer … he will say ‘Here I am.’” The pattern is: call, answer, call and answer. The message is clear: If the Israelites want the Lord God to respond to their cries for help, then they must care for the hungry, oppressed and poor. They are also exhorted to “remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech.” These are sins that cause internal division within the people of Israel.
Verse 10 exhorts the Israelites: “if you bestow your bread on the hungry … then light shall rise for you in the darkness.” Essentially, the same exhortation was given in verse 7. The “light” metaphor is further developed: “and the gloom shall become for you like midday.” This is the brightest time of day — midday. The psalmist contrasts the midday sun with the thick darkness of night. Thus shall be God’s blessing for the Israelites — it shall transform complete darkness into brightest day.
Psalm 112 begins: “Hallelujah! Blessed the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commands” (112:1). The whole psalm is dedicated to describing the actions of “the just man,” who keeps God’s just commands. The just person is compared to light shining in darkness (112:4). Injustice is a kind of “darkness” which can be dispelled by the “light” of one person acting with justice. The just person “shall never be moved … his heart is firm … (and) steadfast” (112:6-8). Such a person is firmly committed to doing justice. “Trusting in the Lord,” he perseveres in righteous deeds.
The just man “is gracious and merciful and just.” The previous psalm (Psalm 111:3-4) describes the Lord God as having the same qualities. By his actions, the just person participates in God’s righteousness.
The just man “is gracious and lends … lavishly he gives to the poor” (112:5, 9). Justice always requires special attention to the needy and vulnerable. The just person recognizes the needs of the poor and responds with generosity.
From First Corinthians, this passage (2:1-5) continues Paul’s contrast of God’s wisdom versus human wisdom in 1:18-31. Paul insists that he did not rely on human wisdom when he came “proclaiming the mystery of God” to the Corinthians. Instead, Paul proclaimed only “Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (2:2). The cross of Jesus is the wisdom of God. As Paul said in 1:23-24: “we proclaim Christ crucified … to those who are called … Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” Although Christ crucified is God’s wisdom, the world sees the crucifixion as foolishness.
Paul continues: “I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling.” Paul’s weakness is consistent with the cross of Christ, which displayed Christ’s weakness. This is the opposite of relying on “persuasive words of wisdom.” Instead, Paul depended upon “a demonstration of Spirit and power” to persuade his hearers. By knowing “the power of God” — manifest in Jesus Christ, Paul’s hearers would not place their faith “on human wisdom.”
Today’s Gospel continues Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” found in Matthew 5-7. In the preceding “Beatitudes” (5:1-12), Jesus teaches that his disciples should strive for “the kingdom of heaven,” instead of seeking earthly prestige or comfort. If Jesus’ disciples live in this way, they can be powerful witnesses to Christ’s Gospel. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus uses three metaphors — salt, light and “a city on a mountain” — to illustrate how his disciples must be witnesses whose lives contrast strongly with the world around them.
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste … It is no longer good for anything.’” Jesus’ disciples must hold firmly to their belief in Christ’s cross, by which they receive life. In this way, they preserve their “salty” nature which contrasts strongly with the surrounding world.
Jesus also told his disciples: “You are the light of the world … your light must shine before others.” This metaphor again emphasizes that Jesus’ disciples must be witnesses to a world living in the darkness of not knowing Christ. Jesus explains that their witness will be seen in “your good deeds.” This will lead others to “glorify your heavenly Father.” Thus, the witness of Christ’s disciples may lead others to belief in Christ.
Jesus also compares his disciples to “a city set on a mountain (which) cannot be hidden.” The lives of Jesus’ disciples will be seen by all. Their witness will either bring others to belief in Christ, or it will drive them away.
Jesus continues: “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.” This extends Jesus’ words to his disciples: “You are the light of the world.” A “lamp” is a powerful instrument for preserving and directing the light of a burning flame.