Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr A 2026
Ordinary Time • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 3 viewsWhile we have often stressed rational arguments for the faith, the mark of a believer in both Isaiah and Matthew is love, caring for others, good works. Thus Paul does not use wisdom in Corinth until is appears in the demonstration of the Spirit and power as seen in Jesus and him crucified, which is caring for others and the healing power of the Spirit, Jesus’ sacrifice being the ultimate demonstration of caring for others. Jesus says to be salt and to let our light shine, for it is by our good works that we will glorify our Father. Dominicans have good arguments, but they should follow our works. That is the way of wisdom.
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Transcript
Title
Title
Let Your Light Shine
Outline
Outline
I have lived in a world of rationalist apologetics
I have lived in a world of rationalist apologetics
Back in the 70’s it was apologist par excellance debating atheist x. And that has gone on and on so that now we hear of the apologist “destroying” his or her opponent and Christian universities pride themselves on their departments of apologetics. I note two things about this era: (1) first, when I bothered to listen to a debate I was often more drawn to the person of the atheist and (2) second, when I look at church growth, the growth came, not from debates but from people like Billy Graham and pastors who seemed to care about and for people. I am reminded of a saying of Our Lady of Guadalupe: “Am I not your mother?” And her maternal care brought 10 million to Christ.
Thus the marks of being true to God are caring for others
Thus the marks of being true to God are caring for others
That is what Isaiah ch 58 says, and it says that “then your light shall break forth like the dawn.” Furthermore, it sounds like Jesus in Matthew ch 25. When this is how we live, then the glory of the Lord will be our guard.
This is what Paul means in 1 Corinthians ch 2
This is what Paul means in 1 Corinthians ch 2
Wisdom is a gift from God, as Proverbs and Sirach and Wisdom all teach. But Paul “resolved to know nothing . . . except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” The resulted in his proclamation with a demonstration of spirit and power. And what did Jesus do but heal the sick, drive out demons, and feed the hungry and then give himself for us? Paul had wisdom, but so did the philosophers. Rather than debate about words he demonstrated the power of tender love and a caring heart given by the Spirit. The miracles revealed the heart of God. They were not spiritual fireworks just to awe.
And that is what Jesus said
And that is what Jesus said
We are to be salt and light and when we fail at this we are worthless. What does this mean? “Your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” There you will show the power of the Spirit, the maternal love of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Now Dominicans have good arguments, but that is the end, not the beginning
Now Dominicans have good arguments, but that is the end, not the beginning
St Dominic outdid the Albigensians in his asceticism and humility and that created the platform for his preaching.
We need to continually pray for the Spirit to fill us so that we love one another (what we might call internal good works) and that shines out into the world in our loving care for those who are hurting, in our good works.
We need wisdom so that our works are wise and form a foundation for our wise teaching later. But our apostolate is based on living Jesus and him crucified towards one another and then out in the world. This will mark us out at children of Our Lady of Guadalupe and her maternal love.
