"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."
REFLECTION
Today we continue the Gospel of Matthew chapter 5, the sermon of the mount: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary time. There is another name for this Sunday as well. In more traditional settings it is known as Sexagesima Sunday.
Gesimatide, or Gesima Sundays consist of the three Sundays before Ash Wednesday: Â Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima. This is a period of reflection focusing on themes of repentance and turning back to God. Informally it could be called a Pre-Lent.
Let me explain. We have just finished extremely joyous feasts such as Advent (awaiting), Christmas (the Birth of Jesus), Naming (Holy Name of Jesus), Manifestation (Epiphany), and Baptism of Christ. Now we turn towards the reason on why all these events happened: Lent, Triduum, Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost. The three Sundays before Ash Wednesday help us prepare for the next great season in the Church. Our minds, souls, and bodies can start turning and preparing for a time of reflection and repentance.
Septuagesima literally means 70 days (before Easter). Thus Sexagesima is 60 Days, Quinqagesima is 50 Days.
Last week we read the Beatitudes. Today we continue the sermon of the mount, and are encouraged to be the salt of the earth, to give it flavor. Next Sunday we will read the third part of the sermon and the rest of Matthew chapter 5.
A good priest recommended to us to read the book by Fr. Jacques Philippe called The Eight Doors of the Kingdom. Spiritual reading is a recommended way to deepen our relationship with God, nourish the soul, and follow God's will *.
I hope we all can take advantage of this time to prepare for the next great season in the Church. Keep our priests in your constant prayers, and all the young men discerning their priestly vocations. Join us by praying the PAPA Prayer for Priests.
