QUINTO DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO ORDINARIO 2026

El Evangelio de hoy nos habla de dos elementos muy importantes en nuestra vida. La sal, que da sabor a los alimentos, y la luz, que nos ilumina y disipa las tinieblas. Sin sal, los alimentos pierden su sabor y se vuelven insípidos; sin luz, vivimos en oscuridad y perdemos el rumbo de la vida. Jesús nos dice hoy que nosotros somos la sal y la luz del mundo. Somos el condimento que necesita el mundo para no perder su consistencia y también la luz que lo ilumina y saca de la oscuridad. La luz, como bien dice Jesús, muestra las buenas obras que realizamos cada uno de nosotros para ayudar

a que este mundo sea un lugar mejor para todos.

Algunas preguntas para reflexionar hoy podrían ser: ¿Has probado alguna vez una comida sin sal? ¿Es delicioso o insípido comer sin sal? ¿Has caminado alguna vez en la oscuridad? ¿Qué se siente al estar a oscuras? ¿En tu casa pones bombillas que alumbraran poco o mucho? ¿Cuáles son tus buenas obras con las que alumbras tu vida y la de los demás? ¿Qué obra buena has hecho esta semana por los demás? ¿Te gustaría que los demás hicieran lo que tú haces?

El profeta Isaías nos ayuda a entender hoy que la finalidad del culto debe ser, en primer lugar, adorar a Dios y, en segundo lugar, compartir nuestros bienes con los más necesitados. El profeta nos enseña que los creyentes debemos compartir el pan con los hambrientos, dar refugio a los sin techo, vestir a los desnudos, no dar la espalda a los hermanos necesitados, no oprimir a los demás, desterrar los gestos amenazadores y las palabras ofensivas.

Según el profeta, el resultado de estas buenas acciones es luz para quien las practica, sanación de las heridas, apertura al camino de la justicia y una respuesta afirmativa por parte del Señor, que le responderá al que haga estas buenas obras cuando clame a él: «Aquí estoy». Son, en definitiva, luz que brilla en las tinieblas.

Tanto el profeta Isaías como Jesús nos invitan hoy a realizar buenas obras en nuestro mundo que sirvan de luz en medio de la oscuridad del pecado, la injusticia, la violencia y la muerte. Las lecturas de Isaías y del Evangelio nos invitan a examiner nuestra vida y a preguntarnos por las obras que realizamos en nuestro día a día. ¿Son luz o son oscuridad? ¿Son sal que conserva o sal insípida que no sirve para nada? El profeta Isaías nos invita a observar incluso los gestos de nuestro rostro y las palabras que utilizamos para referirnos a los demás. ¿Qué gestos realiza tu rostro a diario? ¿Qué palabras salen de tu boca a diario? ¿Crees que con ellas edificas a los demás o destruyes a quienes tienes a tu alrededor? ¿Son tus gestos y tus palabras la luz con la que brillas en el mundo? ¿Eres luz en tu familia y en tu comunidad parroquial?

La Palabra de hoy nos invita a ser como una luz que se pone en lo alto y alumbra a todos por sus buenas obras, su buen comportamiento, su servicio, su honestidad, su rectitud y su justicia. Pídele al Señor que te ayude a ser una luz en el camino de todas las personas con quienes compartes tu vida. Amén

P. Luis Segura M.S.C.

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Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026

Today’s Gospel speaks to us about two very important elements in our lives: salt, which gives flavor to food, and light, which illuminates us and dispels darkness. Without salt, food loses its flavor and becomes bland; without light, we live in darkness and lose our way in life. Jesus tells us today that we are the salt and the light of the world. We are the seasoning the world needs so as not to lose its substance, and also the light that illuminates it and draws it out of darkness. Light, as Jesus rightly says, shows the good works that each of us carries out to help make this world a better place for everyone.

Some questions to reflect on today might be: Have you ever tasted food without salt? Is it delicious or bland to eat without salt? Have you ever walked in the dark? What does it feel like to be in darkness? In your home, do you use light bulbs that give little light or a lot of light? What are the good works with which you illuminate your life and the lives of others? What good deed have you done for others this week? Would you like others to do what you do?

The prophet Isaiah helps us understand today that the purpose of worship should be, first of all, to adore God and, secondly, to share our goods with those most in need. The prophet teaches us that believers must share bread with the hungry, give shelter to the homeless, clothe the naked, not turn our backs on brothers and sisters in need, not oppress others, banish threatening gestures and offensive words.

According to the prophet, the result of these good actions is light for the one who practices them, healing of wounds, openness to the path of justice, and an affirmative response from the Lord, who will answer the one who does these good works when he or she cries out to Him: “Here I am.” They are, in short, light that shines in the darkness.

Both the prophet Isaiah and Jesus invite us today to carry out good works in our world that serve as light amid the darkness of sin, injustice, violence, and death. The readings from Isaiah and the Gospel invite us to examine our lives and to ask ourselves about the works we carry out in our daily lives. Are they light or are they darkness? Are they salt that preserves, or tasteless salt that is good for nothing? The prophet Isaiah even invites us to observe the gestures of our face and the words we use when referring to others. What gestures does your face make each day? What words come from your mouth each day? Do you think that with them you build others up or destroy those around you? Are your gestures and your words the light with which you shine in the world? Are you light in your family and in your parish community?

Today’s Word invites us to be like a light set on high that illuminates everyone through good works, good conduct, service, honesty, integrity, and justice. Ask the Lord to help you be a light on the path of all the people with whom you share your life. Amen.

Fr. Luis Segura M.S.C.

5th Sunday 2026 Cycle A

My friends, our gospel reading today is a continuation of last week’s gospel, the Sermon on the Mount with the Eight Beatitudes.  Our gospel today begins with the very next sentence in the Sermon:

"Jesus said to his disciples:  'You are the salt of the earth…  You are the light of the world'…"

As disciples of Christ Jesus, these words are addressed to us as well and these words are both a complement and a challenge:

A complement because Jesus considers us to be salt of the earth and give flavor and essence to his teachings as we carry His light into a world of darkness.

 A challenge that we do not lose our flavor or dim our light; that we confront injustice and speak out against things we know to be wrong.  It’s easy to go along with the crowd.  Our second Auxiliary Bishop, Dennis O'Neil, used to say:  "The only fish in the river that goes with the current is a dead fish.  It's not easy swimming against the current…"

Being the Light of the World does not mean that we are “Shining Stars.”  It’s a position of humility.  It means casting Light or pointing to the teachings of Jesus, who is Light . “I am the light of the world" (John 9:5)

Being the Salt of the Earth is also a position of humility.  Salt gives.  Salt is used to give flavor to food, to preserve food, and enhance its taste.  In the same way, as Salt of the Earth, we are meant to serve and not be served. 

In our gospel, Jesus said:   “If salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned ?  It is no longer good for anything.”

What happens if we swim with the current ?  What happens if we lose our flavor and become complacent?  What happens if, instead of being life-giving, we become  indifferent and “go with the flow?”  Then, we lose our usefulness as a positive influence in the world.

To guard against losing flavor and dimming our light, we do as Isaiah suggested, we do not oppress people, or make false accusations, or participate in malicious speech and gossip.  Rather, we give food to the hungry, shelter the homeless, and visit the sick.

A disciple of Jesus is both Salt and Light, keeping the message of Jesus alive, especially His teaching to “Love One Another” – to respect and care for one another…

My friends, as disciples, we do not put our light under a bushel basket.  Rather, we let the Light of Christ within us shine so that all may see.  Jesus said at the end of today’s Gospel:  “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”