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5th5th Sunday in Ordinary Time A Sunday in Ordinary Time A9 February 20149 February 2014

In preparation for this Sunday’s LiturgyIn preparation for this Sunday’s LiturgyIn aid of focusing our homilies and sharingIn aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

11stst Reading: Is 58:7-10 Reading: Is 58:7-10 7 Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed

and the homeless, cloth the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. 8 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. 9 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; 10 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.

11stst Reading: Is 58:7-10 Reading: Is 58:7-10

7 Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless, cloth the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. 8 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. 9 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; 10 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.

The focus is on giving justice.

11stst Reading: Is 58:7-10 Reading: Is 58:7-10 7 Share your bread with the

hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless, cloth the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. 8 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. 9 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; 10 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.

CommentaryCommentary In v.7, God commands us to do the In v.7, God commands us to do the

following:following:– Feed the hungryFeed the hungry– Give sanctuary to the oppressed and Give sanctuary to the oppressed and

homelesshomeless– Cloth the nakedCloth the naked– Pay attention to your own needy loved Pay attention to your own needy loved

onesones V.8 gives the reasons why we should be V.8 gives the reasons why we should be

just, charitable and kind:just, charitable and kind:– To shine, to bloomTo shine, to bloom– To quickly heal our own woundednessTo quickly heal our own woundedness– If we have been treated unjustly and If we have been treated unjustly and

shabbily, we will be vindicated.shabbily, we will be vindicated.– God will be our rear guard so that no one God will be our rear guard so that no one

will stab us at the back.will stab us at the back. V.9 further states the reasons why we V.9 further states the reasons why we

should love the poor and affected:should love the poor and affected:– When we pray, God will listen to us.When we pray, God will listen to us.– Help will be forthcoming.Help will be forthcoming.

11stst Reading: Is 58:7-10 Reading: Is 58:7-10 7 Share your bread with the

hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless, cloth the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. 8 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. 9 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; 10 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.

In vv.9b-10a, God makes more demands:– To remove (fight against)

oppression– To remove false accusations

(blaming, making others scapegoats); to stop violating the 8th commandment, not to bear false witness.

– To feed the hungry, as in v.7.– To make the afflicted happy

V.10b gives the reasons why we should be just:– To live in light, not in darkness

(confusion, crisis)– To replace gloom (sadness) with

feelings of happiness.

Reflections on the 1Reflections on the 1stst Reading Reading God is not a wishy-washy and phoney God.God is not a wishy-washy and phoney God. God demands that we exercise justice and we God demands that we exercise justice and we

take care of the poor.take care of the poor. It is for our own good.It is for our own good. Don’t expect God to take care of you, if you don’t Don’t expect God to take care of you, if you don’t

take care of the poor. take care of the poor. If you feel you are not happy and still in the dark, If you feel you are not happy and still in the dark,

maybe you are still living a selfish life, thinking maybe you are still living a selfish life, thinking only of yourself and your personal interests, or, only of yourself and your personal interests, or, you are not doing enough for the poor.you are not doing enough for the poor.

Resp. Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9Resp. Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 R. (4a) The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.

4 Light shines through the darkness for the upright;he is gracious and merciful and just.5 Well for the man who is gracious and lends,who conducts his affairs with justice.

6 He shall never be moved;the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.7 An evil report he shall not fear;his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

8 His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.Lavishly he gives to the poor;9 His justice shall endure forever;his horn shall be exalted in glory.

Resp. Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9Resp. Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 R. (4a) R. (4a) The just man is a light in darkness The just man is a light in darkness to the to the

upright.upright.

4 Light shines through the darkness for the 4 Light shines through the darkness for the upright;upright;he is gracious and merciful and just.he is gracious and merciful and just.5 Well for the man who is gracious and lends,5 Well for the man who is gracious and lends,who conducts his affairs with justice.who conducts his affairs with justice.

6 He shall never be moved;6 He shall never be moved;the just one shall be in everlasting the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance.remembrance.7 An evil report he shall not fear;7 An evil report he shall not fear;his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

8 His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.8 His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear.Lavishly he gives to the poor;Lavishly he gives to the poor;9 His justice shall endure forever;9 His justice shall endure forever;his horn shall be exalted in glory.his horn shall be exalted in glory.

Commentary V.4 states that God loves the upright,

gracious, merciful and just. V.5 identifies who is just:

– The one who is gracious, and lends, and justly deals with other people

V.6 states the reward of living a just life:

– He will not be thrown out of balance– He will be fondly remembered– He will not be carried away or

overwhelmed by bad news. V.8 describes what a just man does:

– Lavishes the poor, gives not in small quantity

In v.9, the just man will be acknowledged by God. God will always remember him.

Reflections on the PsalmReflections on the Psalm

God loves the righteous and just people, not only God loves the righteous and just people, not only the poor.the poor.

Just people operate by God’s principles.Just people operate by God’s principles. They earn their living (merits) without cheating and They earn their living (merits) without cheating and

deceiving their clients and authorities.deceiving their clients and authorities. They are guided by moral and ethical principles.They are guided by moral and ethical principles. They are not afraid of being harassed.They are not afraid of being harassed.

22ndnd Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

1 When I came to you, brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, 4 and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive (words of) wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

22ndnd Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

1 When I came to you, brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, 4 and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive (words of) wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

The focus is on the power of God.

22ndnd Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 1 When I came to you,

brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, 4 and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive (words of) wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, 5 so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

CommentaryCommentary In v.1, Paul reminds the people how In v.1, Paul reminds the people how

he preached. He did not preach he preached. He did not preach with lofty words or the eloquence of with lofty words or the eloquence of philosophers.philosophers.

In v.2, Paul is focused on Jesus In v.2, Paul is focused on Jesus Christ crucified, not on anything Christ crucified, not on anything else.else.

In v.3, Paul reiterates his approach In v.3, Paul reiterates his approach to them:to them:– in weakness and fear, not in human in weakness and fear, not in human

persuasivenesspersuasiveness– But with the spirit and power (of But with the spirit and power (of

God). V.4God). V.4 V.5 states his reason:V.5 states his reason:

– Your faith will be based on God’s Your faith will be based on God’s power not on human (his) wisdom, power not on human (his) wisdom, or, on his power to persuade.or, on his power to persuade.

Reflections Reflections onon the 2 the 2ndnd Reading Reading

We owe our faith from the power of God, not from the wisdom of any human being.

Our faith is a gift from God. We got it through self-effacing instruments of God,

like St. Paul. We did not become Christians because someone

deceived or sweet-talked us. It is a big privilege to have faith in Christ.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5,13-16Gospel Reading: Matthew 5,13-16

13 "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. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5,13-16Gospel Reading: Matthew 5,13-16

13 "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. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

The focus is on being salt and light of the world.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5,13-16Gospel Reading: Matthew 5,13-16

Salt 13 "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.

Light 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain

cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

A simple outline!

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5,13-16Gospel Reading: Matthew 5,13-16

Salt Salt 13 "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.

Light 14 You are the light of the

world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Commentary The passage is a continuation of the

sermon on the Mount. In v.13, Jesus uses a metaphor (salt)

to describe the Christians.– Christians should be useful (give

taste, joy) to the world. In v.14, Jesus uses another

metaphor (light) to describe the Christians.– Christians should give light (radiate,

shine). Vv.14a-16 talk about the need to be

exposed to the world as Christians. We do not hide our identity and our works.

V.16b states the reason why:– People will see how good you are.– They will glorify God because of you.

Reflections on the GospelReflections on the Gospel

We, Christians, should come forward to be We, Christians, should come forward to be recognized.recognized.

We should not hide ourselves We should not hide ourselves (our identity)(our identity) under under the cloak of anonymity.the cloak of anonymity.

We should learn that being salt and light to the We should learn that being salt and light to the world is our mission.world is our mission.

Christians must make a good impression to the Christians must make a good impression to the world and that we are useful to our fellow human world and that we are useful to our fellow human beings, and that our faith is relevant to them. beings, and that our faith is relevant to them.

Tying the 3 readings and the PsalmTying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The The first readingfirst reading asks us to love the poor. asks us to love the poor. The The psalmpsalm tells us that God loves those who are tells us that God loves those who are

just and who love the poor.just and who love the poor. The The second readingsecond reading tells us that our faith comes tells us that our faith comes

from the power of God, not from humans.from the power of God, not from humans. The The gospelgospel reading asks us to be relevant to the reading asks us to be relevant to the

world.world.

How to develop your homily / sharingHow to develop your homily / sharing

We, Christians, must have social orientation. We, Christians, must have social orientation. Meaning, we must live our faith in the social Meaning, we must live our faith in the social milieu, not just in the comfort of our churches and milieu, not just in the comfort of our churches and homes.homes.

We must develop a sense of radicalism (radix, We must develop a sense of radicalism (radix, root).root).

We must re-root our faith to its origins We must re-root our faith to its origins (biblical and (biblical and church traditions),church traditions), and ground it in the society where and ground it in the society where we find ourselves.we find ourselves.

Without radicalism, we live our faith in a vacuum Without radicalism, we live our faith in a vacuum and that is not true faith.and that is not true faith.

Radicalism should not be equated with Godless ideologies.

Christian radicalism is best practiced when we address the “signs of the times” in the light of our faith.

The “signs of the times” are numerous: widespread poverty, unemployment, drug addiction, global warming, environmental degradation, extreme weather conditions, migration, religious intolerance, fundamentalism, violation of human rights, animal rights, children’s rights, rights of the unborn, militant extremism, racism, sexism, militarism, terrorism, hegemonism, hedonism, Generation X, Lost Generation, pre-marital sex, consumerism, pornography, etc.

The readings for this Sunday guide us how to be radical.

The The first readingfirst reading commands us to go back to the commands us to go back to the basics: to give food to the hungry, shelter to the basics: to give food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, justice to the afflicted, etc.homeless, justice to the afflicted, etc.

We cannot run away from these social We cannot run away from these social responsibilities, if we want to keep our relationship responsibilities, if we want to keep our relationship with God intact.with God intact.

Radicalism is the passion to alleviate the situation Radicalism is the passion to alleviate the situation of the poor, to remove what makes them poor.of the poor, to remove what makes them poor.

If we help the poor, we will shine, we will be If we help the poor, we will shine, we will be happy. There will be peace and security.happy. There will be peace and security.

The The psalmpsalm encourages us to be just. encourages us to be just. God loves the just, not the oppressive.God loves the just, not the oppressive. The just do not cheat, deceive, manipulate and do The just do not cheat, deceive, manipulate and do

violence to the poor.violence to the poor. They build a just society.They build a just society. They are not bystanders. They have initiatives. They are not bystanders. They have initiatives.

They are well-motivated.They are well-motivated. They are technocrats with a social conscience.They are technocrats with a social conscience. They study the social teachings of the Catholic They study the social teachings of the Catholic

Church.Church.

The second reading tells us that our faith is rooted in God.

We become Christians by the power of God’s grace, not by human eloquence.

We trace the gift of our faith from the source of our being, God.

Our vocation is sacred. Our faith comes to naught when we disconnect

ourselves from Christ. Our preaching must be simple, not garbled with

gimmickry, tendencies to entertain, demagoguery, highfalutin words and theological gobbledygook.

Our mission must be rooted in our deep love of the Christ Crucified.

The The gospel readinggospel reading challenges us, Christians, to challenges us, Christians, to exercise radicalism in the open.exercise radicalism in the open.

We should overcome our cowardice and timidity.We should overcome our cowardice and timidity. We cannot be Christian radicals if we work in the We cannot be Christian radicals if we work in the

dark.dark. We should stand proud of our faith and act We should stand proud of our faith and act

accordingly in front of the world, against all odds.accordingly in front of the world, against all odds. Through our creativity, we make the message of Through our creativity, we make the message of

our faith palatable and credible to incredulous our faith palatable and credible to incredulous people.people.

The The eucharisteucharist is the food of the just. is the food of the just. When we worthily receive the Holy When we worthily receive the Holy EucharistEucharist, we , we

are re-rooting ourselves to Christ.are re-rooting ourselves to Christ. In the In the eucharisteucharist, we, as salt and light of the world, , we, as salt and light of the world,

bear witness to Christ.bear witness to Christ.

Our Context of Sin and GraceOur Context of Sin and Grace Unjust policiesUnjust policies No accountabilityNo accountability Withholds necessary Withholds necessary

informationinformation Social injusticesSocial injustices Without roots, rootless Without roots, rootless UprootedUprooted Uncultured Uncultured Coward ChristiansCoward Christians Religious services Religious services

becoming rock and rollbecoming rock and roll Liturgy served by people Liturgy served by people

without any sense of the without any sense of the sacred.sacred.

Honest Honest Just Just Transparent Transparent AccountableAccountable Charitable institutionsCharitable institutions Pondo ng PinoyPondo ng Pinoy Segunda ManaSegunda Mana God-fearing social and God-fearing social and

economic engineers and economic engineers and businessmenbusinessmen

Suggested SongsSuggested Songs

Come Build My ChurchCome Build My Church– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZugkzkgjDk

Cry of the PoorCry of the Poor Go Tell EveryoneGo Tell Everyone Hesus na Aking KapatidHesus na Aking Kapatid

For back issues of the Bible StudyFor back issues of the Bible Study– https://sites.google.com/site/olasianofm/