[Isaiah 58:6-10; Psalm 112; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16]

When I was younger, I used to drive through the night, to get to Scotland. The theory was that if I drove through the night, I would have extra time in the day to see my relatives. But I was often left too tired to enjoy their company. One of my favourite parts of these journeys was seeing the sun rise; watching as the darkness dispersed and the light filled the sky, changing the way everything looked.

In today’s Scripture readings we hear Isaiah describe how Christ’s light will break forth like the dawn and how healing will increase in the light of Christ; as His light breaks forth in Glory. The psalm also describes the light rising in the darkness. It rises with generosity, mercy and brings righteousness.

St Paul doesn’t use the word ‘light’ in the passage we have today from his first letter to the Corinthians, but he describes how he first spoke with the Corinthians. When he first spoke with them, he spoke only about Jesus and let Christ enlighten their minds.

In the Gospel we hear Jesus use two phrases. The first phrase is still used in common language today. If we hear someone described as ‘the salt of the earth’ we know that person is regarded as someone who can be relied upon. They are good, solid, dependable and highly regarded by their peers. In fact, it is probably one of the best compliments we can give to someone; until we hear the true meaning behind the other phrase Jesus used.

Jesus said, ‘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.’ When Jesus calls us ‘the light of the world’, he is saying we are to be like Him. We read elsewhere Jesus said ‘As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world’, [John 9:5]. So, when Jesus describes His followers as the light of the world, He is saying that we are to be Him and shine His light wherever we go.

The people Jesus originally spoke these words to, would have been very familiar with the terminology, for example they described Jerusalem as a ‘light to the Gentiles’, and a famous Rabbi would have been called ‘a lamp of Israel’.[1] All of these expressions gave honour to God. The Jewish people knew that their light was not self-generated, but that their light came from God.

When Jesus used these expressions, He was saying that following Him, was not something we were to keep to ourselves. Following Jesus, means taking Jesus out of the Church buildings into our homes, our schools, our workplaces. So, how do we in North Hampshire do that today?

If we search our own hearts and ask:

Where have I shone the light of Christ in the last week?

Would those I live with or work with, or those I have met in the last week, know that I am a Christian, by what they see me do?

Our answers to those two questions will say a lot about us and the future of the Church in this area. If we cannot be seen doing the work of Christ, then sadly, the Church has little chance of surviving in this area. Our role, in 2026 is the same role as the disciples of 2000 years ago. It is to go out into the world and be the light of the world, taking Jesus to the darkest places and shine His light so that all will believe.

Perhaps, when we have done that, we can be worthy of the titles of ‘the salt of the earth’ and ‘the light of the world’.

Further Reading

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

CCC 782: People of God to be salt and light
CCC 2044-2046: moral life and missionary witness
CCC 2443-2449: light on works of mercy, love for the poor
CCC 1243: the baptized (neophytes) are to be light of the world
CCC 272: Christ crucified is the wisdom of God[2]

Please remember in your prayers

  • All those who are sick, either at home or in hospital, especially those who have very few or no visitors.
  • Those who have died and those who grieve for them.
  • The victims of human trafficking.
  • Those attending the RCIA programmes and those attending the Rite of Election at the Cathedral on the 21st February.
  • Those attending the Youth Alpha programme which is a prerequisite for the Confirmation programme in our Pastoral Area.
  • The success of the Pastoral Area Mission Plan.

Deacon Tony

7th February 2026

[1] William Barclay, The Study Bible, The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1, Chapters 1-10, [The Saint Andrew Press, Edinburgh, 1975]118-125.

[2] Homiletic Directory, Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments