5th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Blurbs by Rev. Fr. Pete Literal

Mother Teresa was once asked why her community attracted so many vocations while others declined. Her simple answer was always the same: “I give them Jesus. There is nothing else.”

We Christians possess what the world cannot find anywhere else—Jesus, the true salt of the earth and light of the world. In today’s Gospel (Mt 5:13–16), Jesus clearly defines our Christian identity: we are called to give flavor and light to the world. As baptized disciples, we are meant to live lives of substance and radiance that glorify God.

This Gospel invites us to ask ourselves:
Am I living a significant life for God, my family, and our Filipino ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore?  Jesus challenges us to let our lives shine—to make His presence visible through our words, actions, and service.

As mission partners of the Filipino ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore with Christ, we are called to “season” the world with God’s Word and to shine His light, especially in places of darkness. This means becoming involved, sharing our gifts, and allowing God to work through us in parish ministries and outreach.

Anything short of giving Jesus to others is not truly evangelizing. Like Mother Teresa, our mission is clear: to give Jesus.

Brothers and sisters, let us live our sacred identity and purpose fully.
We are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world.