5th Sunday, Year A

The gospel for the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A is a part of the “Sermon on the Mount”,following immediately after the portion known as the Beatitudes. Famously, Jesus used the metaphors of “salt” and “light” to describe the nature and challenges of discipleship. Why those elements? Did they have a deeper and more robust meanings to the 1st century listener? Modern folks don’t have to think about salt – it is on the shelf of any grocery store. LIght? Flick a switch without giving it a second thought. Maybe we have lost part of the message along the way?

As always, a lot going on in the gospel reading. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and take a moment on the back porch with the Word of God – and go back in time to the world of the first century. Grab your favorite beverage and take some time of the back porch.

Full Text of the Sunday Gospel
Detailed Commentary

Sermon on the Mount (1877) by Carl Heinrich Bloch | Museum of National History |
Frederiksborg Castle, Public Domain