5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 2026 - Year A

Gospel for the day - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Matthew 5:13-16
‘You are the light of the world.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’


This is the gospel of the Lord.   Commentary

Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week.

Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts. If you are interested in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word please email us: cluster.alpha@outlook.com




Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)


This week, from the first reading in Isaiah to the gospel reading of Matthew, the message is clear, that our lives are to be ones that make a difference to everyone. Mentioned in particular are the poor, the dispossessed and the vulnerable. We are told that the difference should be lovingly practical - feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. The message's simplicity makes it very hard hitting because it is difficult to rationalise away and speaks to individuals of both personal and social responsibility. Our responsibility lies beyond individual kindness, although that is essential; but oppression and the yoke are located in the systems by which we order society. We are told that we cannot ignore this. 


In today's gospel, Jesus tells the crowd that they are the salt of the earth. It is easy to know if salt has been added to a dish, but only after you taste it. Our purpose in life, like salt, is to make a difference by how we act and not what we claim. If you are of a certain age, you may remember a poster that was often outside churches. It read, "if you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" These readings call us to ask ourselves this question.


Further on in the gospel, Jesus likens us to lamps who shine on and for everyone. If a light is put on in a room, you can exclude no one from its glance. The readings today are perhaps encapsulated most beautifully by Marianne Williamson's poem "Our Deepest Fear". The first verse reads: 


"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us."

 

1. Are you frightened of your light, or do you let your light shine?
2. In what way might you be hiding the light of Christ from others? What could you do to improve this?*



 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center


Prayers of Intercession


For Pope Leo and all who serve God’s people. May they be living examples of Christ’s light, guiding the faithful with wisdom, courage and compassion. May every Christian be a beacon of hope in a world that longs for truth and love.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


We pray for all who hold positions of leadership and responsibility in governments and international organisations. May they work tirelessly for peace, justice, and the protection of human dignity. We remember especially those regions torn apart by war, violence or oppression, asking that the light of truth and reconciliation may break through the darkness of conflict. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


We pray for our cluster parishes, that we may be a welcoming and supportive community where faith is nurtured and lived out in daily life. May our words and actions reflect the light of Christ to inspire others to seek the joy of the Gospel.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


We pray for those who are hungry, homeless or without hope; for refugees and migrants seeking safety; for the sick in body, mind or spirit and for those who feel abandoned or alone. May they find comfort through the compassion of other and may we be generous in sharing our time and love with those in need. We remember especially those named on the Prayer Foundation.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer

We remember with love those who have died recently and whose anniversaries occur this week. We especially remember Carmelina McGregor, Miroslawa Kruczynska, Irene Turnbull, Alesandra Inglis, Mary Brogan and Chris Hampton. May they be welcomed into the eternal light and peace of God’s kingdom, where there is no more suffering or pain.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer


We will now say together the prayer to be missionary disciples.



Cluster prayer

Lord continue to bless our community in this time of transition.

Help us on our journey to grow from a maintenance church to a missionary church.
Give us the courage to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship; narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and prejudice.

Kindle in us the fire of your love that all who come here will find joy, peace and love.

Make this a house of prayer and a gateway to your kingdom.

AMEN

Preparing for next week - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 5:17-37
‘It was said to those of old; but I say to you.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

‘You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, “You fool!” will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 


‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. 


‘It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.” But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 


‘Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.” But I say to you: Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply “Yes” or “No”; anything more than this comes from evil.’


This is the gospel of the Lord. Commentary



Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

"I did nothing wrong..." When some celebrity says that, it often means "nothing illegal" as opposed to "nothing immoral". We sometimes talk about people keeping the letter of the law rather than keeping the spirit of it. 


In today's gospel Jesus is speaking with conviction and authority about the way missionary disciples are expected to live. He does this by contrasting two interpretations of the commandments. The first interpretation is to treat them in a literal, minimalist way which is technically valid but involves no personal commitment. He accuses the scribes and Pharisees of behaving like that. The second interpretation is to internalise the values of the commandments so that people act from personal conviction rather than external obligation. 


Jesus uses examples that at times resort to extreme language to highlight the contrast between these two interpretations. Jesus of course "walked the talk" demonstrating that his obedience to the Father's will would be surpassed by his unconditional love. His words remain a personal challenge to each of us as we struggle to live up to such high ideals. Mercifully we are not alone. We have God in our hearts and our faith community at our side. Let us take hope from today's gospel and lean on willing friends to help us follow the master. 


1. A non-believer would judge Jesus' words as unrealistic and a recipe for failure. How would you respond?

2. How do you reconcile with those who have offended or hurt you?* 



 * All second questions © The Pastoral Center