Scripture Reflection, February 8, 2026, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 58:7-10 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Matthew 5:13-16

One of the most beautiful parts of the Easter Vigil for me occurs at the very beginning. The Easter candle, having been lit outside with the New Fire, is carried into the darkened church. The light of Christ. That light passes from the Christ candle to us as we share the light with each other. And soon the whole church is alive with light.

We are living in dark times. Today’s gospel tells us that we are to be light for the world. But where do we find the light to share? I suggest that God works through scripture and the community to lead us to the light.

Last week‘s gospel, which includes the Beatitudes, tells us what that light looks like in action. It looks like hunger for righteousness. It looks like mercy, like peacemaking. And today’s first reading from Isaiah says more. God looks for us to share our bread with the hungry, to shelter the oppressed and the homeless, to renounce “false accusation and malicious speech.”

The Church, in the words of Pope Leo, inspire us. "The church, like a mother, accompanies those who are walking.… Where the world sees threats, she sees children; where walls are built, she builds bridges. She knows that her proclamation of the gospel is credible only when it is translated into gestures of closeness and welcome. And she knows that in every rejected migrant it is Christ himself who knocks at the door of the community. "

We live in dark times, but the light of Christ has not deserted us. We see it revealed like a light on a lampstand in everyone who fights for justice, who defends the powerless, who comes to the aid of the marginalized and oppressed.

Yes, we live in dark times but as the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. remind us, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

by: Pat Schnee, OPA