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| “Christ as the True Light” by Hans (the Younger) Holbein, 1526 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 1 Kings 17:7-16
Commentary on 1 Kgs 17:7-16
The story of Elijah and the miracle of the widow and her son establishes Elijah as a man from God, a prophet. He is able to demonstrate God’s plan: “…For the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” God provides for Elijah in his need once more.
CCC: 1 Kgs 17:7-24 2583
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 4:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8
R. (7a) Lord, let your face shine on us.
Commentary on Ps 4:2-3, 4-5, 7b-8
Psalm 4 is an individual lament. In these strophes, we hear the trust the psalmist has in God whose saving works cause the faithful to tremble in awe of God’s mercy.
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Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16
Commentary on Mt 5:13-16
In this selection from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses allegory to push the Word of God into the world. He tells his disciples they are an integral part of the faith of the people in God. Like seasoning is to food, so the Word of God is to faith. They must remain steadfast so they do not lose zeal for God, which is the taste of that seasoning. It is that which sets it apart.
In this selection from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses allegory to push the Word of God into the world. He tells his disciples they are an integral part of the faith of the people in God. Like seasoning is to food, so the Word of God is to faith. They must remain steadfast so they do not lose zeal for God, which is the taste of that seasoning. It is that which sets it apart.
He uses a second allegory, light, to provide still more direction. The light of faith will be seen by all because it is reflected in the actions of those who believe. That light serves to guide others to God, where they may otherwise become lost in darkness, and wander into paths of desolation. That light that pours from the disciples will be seen as a gift, not from them, but from the Father, and the Father will be glorified because of the light.
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Reflection:
Since the earliest of times in human history God has called individuals to carry his message into the world. We see in the first reading from First Book of Kings how he guides Elijah, setting him on God’s chosen path. The miracle of the flour and oil only serve to emphasize that Elijah is a prophet sent by God.
In the Gospel the Lord expands the call to take God’s message into the world. He is speaking to his disciples telling them that they must be “the light of the world.” We, who offer ourselves as his modern-day disciples, hear that instruction and are called to respond to it. Christ’s use of the light metaphor gives us an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be light for the world.
If we think about light, specifically light coming from fire as opposed to an electric light, we can imagine first, the person walking into a very dark place leading others with just a lighted match to guide them. It does not put out very much light and the person must move very slowly and cautiously to avoid tripping or bumping into something. That very small light is like a person who rarely seeks to enhance their own faith though word or sacrament. A person holding a match cannot walk boldly in the world, there is not enough light and progress is slow toward the ultimate goal. In addition, the flame of a match is vulnerable to the smallest breeze (challenges to the light) and can easily go out, plunging that person into darkness once more.
Let’s imagine next a person with a proper torch leading others in a dark place. The torch gives off a hundred times more light than the match and the whole group can move at a comfortable pace, safe from any hidden obstacles. No breeze or even a stronger wind can blow it out; in fact it would generally glow brighter. This would be the person who cultivates their own faith and is able to lead others with confidence in their example and the strength of the Holy Spirit.
This latter example is what we all strive to be. However there is a danger in our analogy as well. If the torch is misused it can set fire to things that should not burn and the very light we carry can cause others to flee in terror (errant use of dogma or perverted use of scripture). The Lord calls us to be light for the world, not to destroy the world. Just as Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it, we are called to build up the body of Christ, not to say: “Throw that part into the fire, it must burn.” That kind of judgment is for the Lord himself who will judge all people on the Last Day.
Pax
Reflection:
Since the earliest of times in human history God has called individuals to carry his message into the world. We see in the first reading from First Book of Kings how he guides Elijah, setting him on God’s chosen path. The miracle of the flour and oil only serve to emphasize that Elijah is a prophet sent by God.
In the Gospel the Lord expands the call to take God’s message into the world. He is speaking to his disciples telling them that they must be “the light of the world.” We, who offer ourselves as his modern-day disciples, hear that instruction and are called to respond to it. Christ’s use of the light metaphor gives us an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be light for the world.
If we think about light, specifically light coming from fire as opposed to an electric light, we can imagine first, the person walking into a very dark place leading others with just a lighted match to guide them. It does not put out very much light and the person must move very slowly and cautiously to avoid tripping or bumping into something. That very small light is like a person who rarely seeks to enhance their own faith though word or sacrament. A person holding a match cannot walk boldly in the world, there is not enough light and progress is slow toward the ultimate goal. In addition, the flame of a match is vulnerable to the smallest breeze (challenges to the light) and can easily go out, plunging that person into darkness once more.
Let’s imagine next a person with a proper torch leading others in a dark place. The torch gives off a hundred times more light than the match and the whole group can move at a comfortable pace, safe from any hidden obstacles. No breeze or even a stronger wind can blow it out; in fact it would generally glow brighter. This would be the person who cultivates their own faith and is able to lead others with confidence in their example and the strength of the Holy Spirit.
This latter example is what we all strive to be. However there is a danger in our analogy as well. If the torch is misused it can set fire to things that should not burn and the very light we carry can cause others to flee in terror (errant use of dogma or perverted use of scripture). The Lord calls us to be light for the world, not to destroy the world. Just as Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it, we are called to build up the body of Christ, not to say: “Throw that part into the fire, it must burn.” That kind of judgment is for the Lord himself who will judge all people on the Last Day.
Pax
[1] The Drawing used today is “Christ as the True Light” by Hans (the Younger) Holbein, 1526
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