Feb 6, 2023
HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 5:13-20
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encourages his followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, doing good works and keeping God’s commandments.
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus
said:] 13“You are the salt of the
earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be
restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and
trampled under foot.
14“You are the light of
the world. A city built on a hill cannot be
hid. 15No one after lighting a
lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it
gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let
your light shine before others, so that they may see your good
works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
17“Do not think that I
have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to
abolish but to fulfill. 18For truly I tell you,
until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of
a letter, will pass from the law until all is
accomplished. 19Therefore, whoever
breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others
to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but
whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the
kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you, unless
your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you
will never enter the kingdom of
heaven.”