Lectionary for Epiphany 5
Jesus said: ‘You are light for the world. Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5:14, 16
Collect. O God, who in the folly of the cross reveals how great is the distance between your wisdom and human understanding: open our minds to the simplicity of Christ’s gospel, so that, fervent in faith and tireless in love, we may become light and salt for the world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading. 1 Corinthians 2:1-12. We have noted before that Paul was writing to the Corinthians from Ephesus but had a keen interest in the church in Corinth having spent over a year ministering in that city. Paul’s initial arrival in Corinth is described in Acts 18. He first met a Christian couple named Aquila and Priscilla, who like Paul were tentmakers. He ministered in Corinth, all the while supporting himself by tent making. Paul came as an ambassador for Jesus Christ and as he reminds them later in the letter he did everything in order to win them for Christ. (1 Corinth 9:22) In writing Paul wanted to urgently address the issues. However by reminding them of how he first presented himself to them he is also reminding them that in all things it is Jesus who is to be considered first. They would have known that he was a university trained teacher yet he deliberately refused to rely on his own wit and wisdom. By speaking only of Jesus and his death on the cross Paul’s message is very clear, only the gospel can change people for the better. The problems that the Corinthian believers faced had to be addressed through guidance from God. From Paul’s perspective the gospel of Christ crucified is the way God demonstrates his power in the lives of believers. The gospel is the power of God for those who believe. (Romans 1:16)
The details that had come to Paul in Ephesus reported a lack of pastoral care, claims of spiritual superiority, suing one another through the public courts, disrespecting the communion meal, and sexual misbehavior. These were not matters that could be changed by debate they called for a change of heart and a renewal of the Spirit. Paul on his part understood that the need was so important that he had to rely on God rather than to trust in his own or anyone else’s wisdom. Thus he urges them to remember what Jesus Christ has done and how that has changed them and drawn them out of the paganism of which they had been a part. The corruption of a Corinthian life style was well known in the ancient world; indeed to be called a Corinthian was to be named as a sexually immoral person. Paul contrasts the life that they once lived with its outcome to the glorious future that the gospel of Jesus Christ has won for them. The contrast for the Christians would have been profound. He ends this short passage with the words, “Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts freely given to us by God”. (verse 12) As a result of receiving God’s gifts, he is reminding the believers that they are to use the gifts in God’s service and so live their lives accordingly.
Though this is an ancient text referring to an ancient situation still the message is plain to see: believers are to live not according to the world but according to the guidance of God. Furthermore it reminds us that when we face a life problem we first should turn to God. Perhaps Paul was framing the question for the Corinthians like this, “Do you want God to solve your problems or will you muddle through on your own wit and wisdom.” Paul’s answer to the Corinthians and to us will always be the same “Always rely on what Jesus has done for you”.
Prayer. O merciful God, fill our hearts with the graces of the Holy Spirit, with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us, to bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who abuse us, that we may be children of our father: Who makes the sun to shine on the evil and the good, and sends the rain on the just and unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble; may we guard the doors of our lips; may we lightly regard the pleasures of earthly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen. (From St. Anselm, 1033-1109)
Reading. Matthew 5:13-20. In many ways this reading from Matthew continues a theme from our reading in Corinthians that believers are to live as Christians, proving to be a contrast to living as the world lives. This teaching from Jesus follows on from the Sermon on the Mount. It also continues with the idea of what Kingdom living looks like. It is a declaration, “You are” a very positive statement which recognises a reality which a believer has already. It is a status which is received not earned or deserved. The salt of the earth and the light of the world seem to be very lofty ideals but they are only achievable through being in Christ, trusting what Jesus has done on our behalf. With that in mind we recognise immediately that it gives us no room to feel in any way superior to those who are not “in Christ”. As Paul says in his letter to the Corinthians, what do you have that was not firstly given to you. (1Cornth 4:7.) Sadly and with much humility we do have to realise that there are some people who have no interest at all in Christ or in the things of Christ. Nevertheless being salt and light does call us to action.
We think of salt as a refined condiment but in the ancient world salt had much more important place. Roman soldiers were often paid in salt for it was more precious than gold. The name for salt gives us our common word ‘salary’. Thus a Roman soldier was said to be “worth his salt”!
Salt therefore was a means of trade, it was used as a preservative and an antiseptic; it was linked to many religious ceremonies and sacrifices in the Jewish tradition. Some forms of salt which contained trace elements were used as a fertiliser for growing crops. This form of salt worked to release the nutrients in the manure that was spread on the land.
Salt played a positive role in the whole of society as of course did light. Being salt and light, believers are precious to God just as salt and light were precious commodities in the ancient world. It reminds us that being salt and light places a demand on us to act as God’s representatives as we live out our lives, God is making his appeal through us to others. (2 Corinth 5:20)
However this is not simply a rephrasing of the Protestant work ethic but is linked to the attributes Jesus taught in his previous teaching, seeking God in order to grow spiritually, and humble living by trusting in God in all of life’s circumstances.
The last section of today’s reading also emphasises that behaving as a Christian is not an option it is what we are called to be and to do. The last verse might give us some pause for thought for it seems quite daunting. The Pharisees were the religious elite and did keep all the religious and moral laws. The difference was that a Pharisee considered himself to be righteous because of what he did. Jesus’ call to believers is to rely on God for all you are and in seeing God as the faithful giver who is always as good as his promises, live your life righteously!
Prayer. Gracious Lord, you are the God who is faithful and just; transferring us from darkness into the light; giving to us a status we did not earn nor deserve. We thank you Lord that as each day unfolds you always shower us with love and care. Each day you supply us with enough courage and strength to keep us going, and you always grant us enough wisdom and insight to keep us on the right paths. So Lord we praise and thank you for all that you do on our behalf. We constantly remember the ministry of our Saviour Jesus who lived and died and rose again that we might inherit eternal life and worship and serve you eternally. Grant that as members of your family you would continue to guide and bless us, so that in all our activities we will focus on you and bring to you the praise and honour that is yours by right. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God for ever more. Amen
Collect. Jesus, teacher of justice, you call your disciples salt and light, and send us out as your witnesses; save us from becoming stale, ignite us to shine out for the world, that faith in you may dawn and grow, for ever and ever. Amen.
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