6th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Matthew 5:17-37
Sunday Gospel Reflection
by Sister Maura McMenamin
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT – seems to be one collection of Jesus teachings.
Depending on which translation we use, we find that in the Sermon on the Mount, the word “congratulations” or “blessings” is used frequently. In other words, Jesus is talking about blessing and not punishments. This approach emphasises the positive nature of Jesus’ teaching. These blessings are all promises from God and about God. At the same time, Matthew insists that Jesus does not replace the Laws. After all he is writing for Jewish Christians with a strong Judaic Faith background!
Thus, we find that Jesus is telling his hearers that he has not come to abolish the law or the prophets but to complete them. The hearers are reassured that their faith is not being rubbished but rather seen in the light of a loving God. This faith is the foundation on which their future following of Jesus is built. At the same time, they must appraise how they live out their laws and retain only that which conforms to Jesus’ teaching. Does that ring bells for today? Do our lives reflect the Gospel? Do we respect today’s people and their needs and take account of what Pope Francis tells us “God does not abandon us, he does not leave us alone, for he has united himself definitively to our earth, and his loves constantly impels us to find new ways forward” and again “God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth……….. The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord seize us with your power and light….”
Will we be salt and light to our world of today?
Finally, in the words of Richard Rohr, “The beatitudes do not tell Christians what to do; they tell them what they will be like if they are living in the kingdom”.
Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.”
The Gospel of the Lord
