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January 30, 2023

A Call to Integrity

Eric A. Hernández López   |   Read Matthew 5:13-16

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Lectionary Week
January 30–February 5, 2023
Scripture Overview

According to another counterfeit gospel, our inward convictions about God are enough, so our actions do not really matter. Isaiah chastises his audience for being half-hearted in their religious observance. They ignore the plight of the oppressed and the poor, and by doing so they reveal that they do not grasp the heart of God. The psalmist argues that the true faithful are steadfast and generous, and as a result God establishes them and their cause. The understanding of God’s view of the world, Paul writes, must be spiritually discerned, for it opposes the normal thinking of the world. In Matthew, Jesus tells his followers that living faith is shown by bringing flavor and light to the world. Otherwise, our faith is useless to those around us.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Isaiah 58:1-12. What can you do to be a foundation of many generations, the repairer of the breach for your community?Read Psalm 112:1-10. How have you seen God’s blessings abound from your faithfulness? How do you remain faithful when God’s blessings seem absent?Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-16. Consider the many ways wisdom comes. How do you seek to understand God’s wisdom?Read Matthew 5:13-20. When does your faith community resist the call to be the salt of the earth and light of the world? How can you transform yourself or those around you to fulfill God’s commandments?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Matthew 5:13-16

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s good for nothing except to be thrown away and trampled under people’s feet. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Integrity can be defined as the congruence between our inner and outer world, between who we are and what we do. Matthew 5 is precisely a call to integrity. In the first twelve verses of this chapter, Jesus reveals through the Beatitudes the identity of those who choose to follow...

God, illuminate our lives today with your light, and help us be more like you. May we be the light of the world, beginning in our own home. Amen.


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