LARRY BRODING

Salt and Light

Video  | 1st Reading | Psalm  | 2nd Reading | Gospel

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

What are the differences between the leader and the follower? When does a follower lead?

The path to leadership is a hard one. True leaders are committed to a goal or a cause. They are also willing to sacrifice time, talent, and treasure for their passion. They gather as many followers by their example as by their ideals. In fact, many measure leaders’ goals and passion by their example. Do they merely talk? Or are they willing to walk the path?

In one sense, a follower becomes a leader the moment he or she makes a commitment beyond the norm. At that point, the easy way becomes difficult. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus honored his followers who took the hard way, those who lived out the Beatitudes. Those who sacrificed for the Kingdom would be the salt of the earth and light to the world.

Children’s Reading | Catechism Link | Family Activity

SOURCE: WORD-SUNDAY © Larry Broding

VINCE CONTRERAS

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) 

1. In the 1st Reading, what are the things the Lord tells us we should both do and avoid that will cause our lights to shine brighter? What other rewards result from this? As a people, how well are we doing this? How well am I doing this? How can I do better?
2. In the 2nd Reading, what are the things St. Paul tells his readers that they should not base their faith upon? What is it does he say it should rest upon? In practice, what does that mean?
3. In the Gospel, to whom is Jesus referring when he says “you” are the salt/light of the world?
4. Why is salt and light essential to life? Why is it essential to the life of the Church?
5. How are the Beatitudes we heard last Sunday related to being salt and light (verses 13-16)? How are Christians called to penetrate society?
6. How is your “seasoning”? What do you do to be a positive influence to those around you? What are you doing (or what can you do) to help your parish be “salt” and “light” in a broken world?
7. Based on the Beatitudes, is the light in your life shining like a 300-watt bulb? A 100-watt bulb? A night-light? A tiny spark? Why? How can Jesus enable you to “shine brighter”?

DON SCHWAGER

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

SOURCE: Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics

MICHAEL MARCHAL

The Convincing Power of the Spirit

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

BACKGROUND: The Sermon on the Mount continues; we are once again being taught the basics of life in God’s kingdom/reign. And they are not about kosher ordinances or other do’s and don’t’s but about love in action—which is why this selection from Isaiah was chosen to parallel this Gospel. And the power to live such transformed lives that bear witness to the kingdom present among us comes, as Paul says, “from the convincing power of the Spirit.”

Coming Soon

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. When has your loving concern for others made you a light to others?
2. When has the Spirit’s power at work within you made you able to do more than you thought you could?
3. When has your light not shown brightly for others? Why not? How can you shine more brightly?
4. What does our church need to do to be a brighter light in our fractured society?

Practice:  A lot of us look out our windows and do not see the hungry, the oppressed, the homeless, but they are out there! And the scripture tells us to go out and find them. What will get you, and your family, out of your bubble? Where can you find the opportunity to be an active disciple, serving others less fortunate?

SOURCE: TEAM RCIA

ANNE OSDIECK

Recharging

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

1. Jesus asked us to be like light and salt. What determines your degree of saltiness or brightness?

2. What does Pope Francis say is the “battery” for our light?

What must a Christian do in order for the salt not to run out, so that the oil to light the lamp does not come to an end? The “battery” a Christian uses to generate light … is simply prayer. Prayer, the Pope says, is what lights up Christian life … prayer must come from the heart.”

As regards the salt that Christians are called to be: it becomes salt when it is given to others. This … is another Christian attitude: to give of oneself, to give flavor to the lives of others, to give flavor to many things with the message of the Gospel … It’s curious: both salt and light are for others, not for oneself. Salt does not give flavor to itself; light does not illuminate itself.

Mass at Casa Santa Marta,
June 7, 2016

MORE QUESTIONS

SOURCE: Sunday Web Site – Saint Louis University

MONIKA KORZEC

The grace of following God’s will

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Let Your Light Shine Before Human Beings

Jesus explains that light is something that should not be hidden; light, by its nature, is something that is meant to bring clarity to the area where it is placed. Light is not a private phenomenon, but the light is an indication of a public purpose. Therefore, think about your own life of faith as a light that is placed in a public sphere.

• Is this light strong and visible? or is it just a tiny flame that the wind can extinguish at any moment?
• How do you feel about your faith in public settings? Are you able to stand up for Christian values? Are you able to publically admit that you are following God’s law? If you do not feel like you are brave or strong enough to face the wind of today’s world, ask yourself why is it that you are afraid of the public? of what others may think or do to you?

In what way does your light shine before other human beings? Think about it, and record all the feelings/emotions that are associated with this reflection.

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SOURCE: CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT | Recent Retreats