Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time are:

1. Isaiah 58: 7-10
2. Psalms 112: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
3. 1 Corinthians 2: 1-5
4. Matthew 5: 13-16

• Who is my neighbor?
• "There goes the neighborhood" was a phrase heard often in my parent's generation.  A young couple scrapes together their savings, bets everything that they have on a home, do without so that they can make those relentless mortgage payments month in, month out.  Why do they do that?  Better school district, safer streets, nicer neighbors all contribute to that sacrifice.
• And then some undesirables move into the neighborhood, and everyone is on alert.  Will they be just the first of many, will my resale value go down, will the neighborhood change forever now?
• Can you imagine a way that you could greet those sorts of changes without fear?
• What would have to change about your attitude, the way that you live?
• What would be the first step?
• What would Mother Theresa do?

• Prosperity Gospel
• In the early days of the Church, the collection consisted of families coming to the front of the church to give food, blankets, clothing to help the local poor.  Most of those goods were made at home, often with their own hands.
• In a way, each parishioner was personally sharing their goods with others.  When they ate at home, they know that others in their neighborhood, less fortunate than they were, were likely eating food that their parish had shared with them.  For those mystically inclined, each meal bound them all together, made all of them partakers in the same blessings from God.
• How do you share what God has given you with others?
• Do you think that they are better off for that sharing?
• Are you better off for that sharing?

• Humility personified
• The humble person is the one who recognizes that we are all one in God, whether we find that comforting or not.
• Think of someone in your life is truly humble, who inspires you to be more humble.
• What fears do you think that person has in their life?
• What brings them peace in mind and heart?
• Do you think they are humble because they are fearless, or fearless because they are humble?

• Reality can be harsh at times
• If some big producer offered you a million dollars to come into your home with a camera crew and watch and listen to everything that you said and did for a week, would you do it?
• What are you afraid of?
• What message do you think that slice of your life would convey?
• How would that relentless camera eye change your behavior?
• Would you be inspirational? 

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. How can I be more welcoming in my life?
2. Where can I be more generous in my life?
3. How are my actions bearing witness to God?
4. What does my life teach others?

Shalom!