February 8, 2026 ☩ The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
on
Isaiah 58:1-12; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16;
& Matthew 5:13-20
“A Day Acceptable to the Lord?”
☩ ☩ ☩
According to Jewish tradition, those who have studied the portion of Scriptures that we cherish as the Pentateuch, yet they knew much longer and as the Torah, or Law, have identified hundreds of laws within the text. More than the Ten Commandments, and Great Commandment, there are arguably 613 laws. These laws provided an entry point into a life devoted to God, one principled on a moral code outside of individual desire or lust.
The prophets, like Isaiah, spoke truth of Scripture and the desire of God as it aligns with what we find in Holy Scripture. They were not liked in popular society because it can be difficult to point out sin. The prophet’s very lives though exuded an understanding of their inherent worth and value as it is assigned by God, not by those who come and go around them.
Like the prophets, for us, our spiritual lives are to be our primary identity. Saint Paul speaks to the Corinthians on an even deeper level, highlighting that to discern where God is in our lives, we must be those who live in the Spirit and are steeped in the Spirit of God. We must have, as Paul says, “the mind of Christ.” [1 Cor. 2:16]
Jesus, in Matthew’s Gospel, tells the crowds who hear him that they are the salt of the earth. He references the value of salt as a seasoning for food. Salt has a purpose for flavoring. Its purpose is inherent in what it is. As Christians, our purpose is inherent in being members of Christ’s Body, being adopted children into God’s family, being rescued as a refugee of this world seeking admittance into God’s kingdom. Living with the ‘mind of Christ’ identifies our actions that we are to engage in with the utmost clarity, beyond any of the 613 laws that had traditionally governed the people in covenant with God.
If salt loses its flavor, it is no longer salt and of value. If we toss aside the mind of Christ, who are we then? Jesus gives us insights into embracing this mind of Christ in his second analogy to light. Light, Jesus says, is placed upon a hill and is meant for the world. The advantage of Light is not simply for our own personal gain or benefit, yet to be shared. So shine forth your Light so God may be glorified and others, seeing your good works, will be drawn to the Light of Christ that shines forth from you.
Christ did not come for himself, but for others. Salt does not season for its own benefit, but for another’s use. Light radiates not just for one, but for many. Christ was made Incarnate, crucified, died and resurrected not as a demonstration of power, but to truly bring forth salvation for all of God’s children.
In the darkness of life, remember we are to bring Christ’s Light to the world. Remember your cherished value is assigned by Christ and outwardly recognized in our identity as a child of God. Let’s not hide the joy and hope of our faith under a bushel, but allow it to shine forth to others. And when it feels overwhelming, simply bring to mind this day alone and guide your choices this day with Isaiah’s question: “Will you call this… a day acceptable to the Lord?” [Isaiah 58:5]
Closing with Saint Paul’s words to the Corinthians: “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” [1 Cor. 16:13-14]
Amen.
