Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany

The Old Testament lesson warns us about thinking all is well with us spiritually because we fast and pray while at the same time we disregard God’s commands about caring for the poor and those who are our workers. We are instructed about a false spirituality. Actually, fasting put them in an ugly mood, which made them act out in selfish ways at the expense of others. Their fasting, which was supposed to be an occasion for self-denial, actually became an opportunity for self- advancement at the expense of others. God would rather have them share their bread with the hungry; he instructed them to bring the homeless into their homes and cloth the naked. If they would conduct themselves in such a way then when they called on God he would answer, he would protect them and they would see the light break forth. Does this not bring deep conviction to us today? We need to ask ourselves how we are conducting ourselves in our daily lives. Have we ever invited a homeless person into our own home? We who think we are spiritual should be doing such things. Such behavior impresses God even more than fasting and prayer.

In the Epistle lesson Paul speaks about how he came to them with the simple message of the gospel instead of with the complex ideas of other teachers. In simple words he proclaimed Christ crucified with the power of God. He was interested in imparting the secret and hidden wisdom of God to them. The Gospel is conveyed not through eloquence but through humble messengers who speak about the cross of Jesus. It is only by the Spirit that we can begin to understand and receive God’s grace. The natural sinful person cannot accept the Words of God. The message of the cross is simple but it touches all of life and faith. It gives us a new compassion and concern for our fellow human beings. We have been given the mind of Christ that we might know his wondrous gospel and live in the freedom and compassion it brings. It shows us the way to true spirituality, which directs our good works toward those around us; serving them in their needs.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that we are both the salt and light of the world. We are to let our light shine before others. We are to so conduct our daily lives with grace, compassion and concern that God in heaven is given glory. He reminds us that Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it for us. Our righteousness must be given to us, since it must “out do” the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Without receiving by faith the righteousness of Jesus Christ, we will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

It is only in the gospel that we can be transformed and led to be more concerned for the lives of others than for our own advancement. Only as we are shown through the law of God our sinfulness and have the gospel of Jesus revealed to us can we become like Christ in our daily affairs. Even then it will be Christ’s righteousness that we delight in and depend on.