8 February 2026
I had to smile at St. Paul’s words today after last week’s column: “I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but the power of God.” But really… these Ordinary Time readings just beg for “Buckle up Buttercup” types of columns. Jesus’ care for the marginalized and oppressed and our responsibility to help them are on center stage, spotlight blazing. [Spoiler Alert: Fasten your seatbelts and follow the speed limit because next week it’s all about obeying the law!]
For now, Isaiah – speaking on behalf of the LORD - exhorts us to “share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless, clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own.” If we do this “our light shall break forth like the dawn,” our “wounds shall quickly be healed,” and we will be vindicated. By doing these corporal works of mercy, we will shine a light in the darkness and our own gloom will be lifted. That’s an interesting end to the reading… many modern psychologists advise folks suffering from the darkness of depression to go out and volunteer. The Lord knew that was best for us from the very beginning!
Isaiah also says this little gem that we often overlook: Only when we care for others will the Lord answer us in our own distress. Now that is a life-altering pondering gem.
The psalmist also gives us some directives about our responsibility towards alleviating the burden of the oppressed and gives us an inkling as to what our behavior should look like as apprentices to the Lord. We are gracious, merciful, and just. We are not swayed by public opinion nor fear public retribution; our trust is in the Lord. We give lavishly (!) to the poor. In short, we are a shining light in the world’s darkness.
Which Jesus repeats: We are the salt of the earth and a light to the world. It’s interesting that of all the natural things in people’s everyday lives in Jesus’ time still have meaning today. Jesus could have given metaphors using sickles or looms or figs or olive oil; those words would have had tremendous power and gravity back then. But instead, he chooses universal and time-negligent words like salt and light. Potential Christians who are fishermen in Shanghai (China), prisoners in Navalny’s (Russia) penal colony, laborers of Machi Pichu (Peru), or even the Inuit of Quebec (Canada) would all still understand the beauty and meaning of salt and light. Funny how the Lord works over and above – and through – time.
Back to all of us here in Hastings, apprenticing under the Lord using our own gifts and our own actions to help God’s will be done here on earth as it in heaven, how is that going for us? Does our community look the same in heaven as it does on earth? If not, how might we make that happen? #besaltandlight