Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/pS38ayOHJjscYiSqOi21?ru=Paul-Evangelion
Readings for Sunday, February 8, 2026 - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A
FIRST READING: Isa 58:7-10
Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9. "A Light rises in the darkness for the upright."
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 2:1-5
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 8:12). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the light of the world, says the Lord. The man who follows me will have the light of life.
GOSPEL: Matt 5:13-16
++++
Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 8, 2026, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-570-the/s-evR9l4twqnJ (EPISODE- 570)
+++++
PROLOGUE:
According to the Gospel this weekend, we're called to be good for something, real and active ingredients in the mix of life. Not just unfathomable religious observers who undertake mysterious repetitions of rituals without any reference to the world around us or having no impact on the lives of those around us, especially those most in need. No, Jesus came to show us that being part of the family of God is open to all, and it's an authentic service of God with real, practical effects on the welfare of those around us.
We're called to be salt, light, and a city built on a hilltop.
This is Faith, Hope and Love.
++++
HOMILY:
The three images in the Gospel are powerful and wonderful this weekend. We are to be salt, light, and a city built on a hilltop.
What's interesting about these three images is that they're not self-serving. The purpose of these three things is to serve others. Salt adds flavour to food.
Light helps show the way. And a city gathers a community together, shares resources and skills, and supports the good of all. So too, the Kingdom of God.
It's not for what I can get out of it, but rather what I can give to God and others. Salt is really valuable and important, but it's only really useful when it's mixed with food or water, or when it interacts with food, to flavour, preserve, and purify it. Our faith only makes sense when it is mixed with practical actions, loving care and charity.
In different parts of different Gospels, our Lord uses a similar idea. Our identity in the Kingdom of God involves being well mixed into the rest of life. Whether it's salt mixed into food or leaven kneaded well into the dough, both give the image of really immersing oneself in life, mixing in with and lifting up the whole to new levels, transforming it for the better.
In the first reading, the question is posed: What kind of fasting pleases you most, O God? And the Lord answers, a true and pleasing fast to me is shown by feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, clothing the naked, loosening the unjust bonds that tie up the poor, breaking yokes and freeing from slavery, stopping speaking badly of others, and ending gossiping and slandering of others, avoiding any kind of hateful speech, refraining from pointing fingers. Jesus shows us the vision of the Kingdom that involves practical kindness and care for others, contributing to the raising up of others' dignity and the increase of compassion. Light guides our steps and draws us to safety, and, of course, a huge, attractive, welcoming city on a hill cannot be hidden; it's seen by all and inspires us and draws people to it.
If any of God's servants spent their days performing the actions of the disciple, but like someone who's play-acting or going through the motions, we would be as useless as stale salt and as unhelpful as a light that was never turned on, and as uninspiring and repulsive as a city hidden away and unwelcoming. If our Lord intends His disciples and His Church to be like a lighthouse, then the following excellent quote makes a lot of sense. "Lighthouses don't primarily blow horns; they just shine."
So the shining light of their example is much more of a guide and inspiration than a whole lot of hot air and noise. In the second reading, we again see the instruction that it is absolutely vital that we put our hope and dependence on God, not merely on our own human willpower, strength, or ambitions. We're disciples of the "Kingdom of God", and we're not here to build up the "Kingdom of self."
The readings this weekend clearly point us to how we are to live as disciples, to be generous, merciful and just, and to share of oneself, a sharing that hurts and can be a cross to carry. But with God's grace, we can be that disciple. Salt, light, a city.
+++++
References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly;
Kersten, J. (2013). New —St. Joseph Sunday Missal, Canadian Edition. New Jersey: Catholic Book Publishing Corp., p. 215; Link, M. (1992). Vision. Year A. Allen, Tex: Tabor Pub.
Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/pS38ayOHJjscYiSqOi21?ru=Paul-Evangelion
To listen to the Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) - https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Also found at - https://tinyurl.com/FHLpwk
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A (Sunday, February 8, 2026) (EPISODE- 570)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
+++++++++++++
{{I am very grateful for you joining us for this special time of prayer and reflection.}}
Coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pause and reflect upon our sins, in order to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.
Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy//You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth: Christ, have mercy//You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life: Lord, have mercy.//
May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9. "A Light rises in the darkness for the upright"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 8:12). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the light of the World says the Lord. The man who follows me will have the light of life.
Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PREFACE: Sundays Ordinary IV
Euch prayer III
(theme variation: 3)
(welcome cycle- (welcome 5) Good evening/morning. Welcome to this Eucharist as we celebrate the NNN Sunday in SSSSSS. To all visitors to our parish, you are most welcome and may this be a peaceful and special time for you. Please check to see that your mobile devices are switched off or turned to silent. Our Presider tonight/today is Fr………………………… Please stand as we sing our entrance hymn: "__________" *)
(pre+post variation: v1-short)
++++
{I am very grateful for you joining us for this special time of prayer and reflection.}
Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)
++++++++
Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)
Editing equipment: NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44
Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor
[Production - KER - 2026]
May God bless and keep you.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
