Readings and meditation on the Word of God on the fifth Sunday in ordinary time, February 8th, 2026

Delivered by Kezia and Renaldy from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Isaiah 58: 7-10; Rs psalm 112: 4-5.6-7.8a.9; 1 Corinthians 2: 1-5; Matthew 5: 13-16.WE ARE MADE THE SALT AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD The title for our meditation on this fifth Sunday inordinary time is: We Are Made the Salt and Light of the World. In the Sermon onthe Mount, Jesus affirmed the identity of the disciples as the salt andlight of the world. This statement is not just a beautiful metaphor, but acall to life. Salt does not live for itself; It is there to give flavor,prevent rot, and maintain life. The light is not hidden; it is there toilluminate, direct, and remove darkness. So, to be salt and light means to be ahelper—a person whose presence brings real goodness to others. Jesus invites the disciples to realize that it isthrough their lives that the world can feel the touch of God. The salt thatloses its salty and light that is hidden are meaningless. Thus, the Christianfaith becomes real when one dares to go out of self-interest, is sensitive tothe needs of others, and engages in the suffering of others. It means that adisciple becomes a sign of God's presence and action: not primarily through words,but through concrete acts of love. The Prophet Isaiah affirms that true light is revealedthrough the love shared with those who are hungry, who are unclothed, and whohave no place to live. Light is not an abstract spiritual shine, but a ray thatwarms the lives of others. When our hands can share, when our steps are closerto the eliminated, that's when God's light shines through us. The same conviction was affirmed by Saint Paul to theCorinthians. In his first letter, Paul emphasized that faith stands, not onhuman wisdom, but on the power of God. That is, being salt and light is not theresult of personal greatness, but the fruit of openness to the work of God thatworks in human weakness. When we rely on God, our simple lives can also be ameans of grace for many people. Let's imagine this: a small candle lit in a dark room.The candlelight was not big, but it was enough to help one find a way and avoiddanger. Candles do not choose who deserves to receive their light; It justfaithfully lit up and consumed itself. So is a true helper: he or she may besimple, often invisible, but his or her presence makes the lives of others morehuman and hopeful. Finally, being the salt and light of the world is adaily call to present God in the midst of the reality of life. Through sharedlove, sincere help, and faith standing on His power, we are called to witnessthat God is really at work in this world—through our lives that we are willingto use for others.  Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Almighty God,preserve and strengthen our faith in You so that we may always be a sign ofYour presence and action to save ourselves, our neighbors and the world aroundus. Our Father who art in heaven... In the name of the Father ...