Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time/A
Massimo Palombella
In today’s Gospel (Mt 5:13-16), Jesus defines his disciples, each one of us, as “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”.
These characteristics are, in some way, constitutive of our existence and indicate the synthesis of our humanity, our abilities, everything we are and that finds unity, place, meaning, and continuous growth when placed in an architecture, in a project that we call “God’s will”.
The possibility of “losing flavour” or “losing light” is real; it is a true and subtle temptation that touches on a fundamental aspect of our lives, freedom, where our weaknesses and unresolved issues can play a decisive role.
In fact, on the fundamental issues of our lives, on the most precious realities of our existence, we are tempted with things that are true, absolutely true, but ordered in a false way.
We are tempted precisely on our weaknesses and led into a sort of mendacious ‘loop’ that can cause us to lose what alone makes our very lives worth living.
Our flavour, our light, are intensified precisely by the trials and temptations that the Lord gives us so that we may know ourselves better and experience His love and infinite mercy more and more intensely.
The Communion antiphon for today’s celebration is taken from Psalm 42 (Ps 42:4) with the following text:
Introibo ad altare Dei, ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.
(I will go in to the altar of God, to the God who gives joy to my youth).
The attached music, in Gregorian chant, is taken from the Graduale Triplex published in Solesmes in 1979. The music track can be found on YouTube, where there are no indications about the interpretation.
A blessed Sunday and heartfelt greetings.
