5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A

Isaiah 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.

Psalm 112: 4-9

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.

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.

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.

1 Corinthians 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.

Matthew 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.”

Questions:

- It is written in the book of Isaiah: “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.” – How do I relate to these commandments? What opportunities do I have to fulfill each of them, or to do something in the same area? How much do I notice people who need help around me? When did I do something for them? When do I feel I missed opportunities to help?

- It is written in the First Letter to the Corinthians: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” – Why does Saul the Apostle profess that he only wants to know the crucified Jesus? What would be the danger he tried to convince others with wise words? How is Saul’s decision, to depend on God’s strength only, related to the death and the resurrection of Jesus? How is his choice relevant to the reality in which we live?

- Jesus said in the Gospel: “Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” – What is the connection between my actions, other people, and the glory of God? What did Jesus mean when he said we should be the light of the world? How can we, who live in Israeli society, be a light to others?

Questions for children:

- It is written in the book of Isaiah: “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.” – How do I understand each of these commandments? What can I do, even as a child, to fulfill them? How do I respond when I see a boy or girl who is in a situation of lack or need? How well do I know how to share what I have with others?

- It is written in the First Letter to the Corinthians: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” – Who is Jesus crucified for me? How did I hear about him? Is he important in my life? How would I tell others about him?

- Jesus said in the Gospel: “Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” – What is the connection between my actions, other people, and the glory of God? What did Jesus mean when he said we should be the light of the world?