Reflection for Sunday 8th February, 2026

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 

No Plan B (Matt 5:13-16)

Here’s a made-up yarn. Imagine Jesus ascending back to heaven. The angels greet him like the crowd welcoming home the All Ireland champions. One angel asked, “Did you convert all the great leaders and philosophers?” He replied, “Not really, I got on better with the ordinary people.”
“Did you travel the world from end to end?”
“Not really, I stayed in one small territory.”
“Did you end in a great triumphant celebration?”

When Jesus replied that he was rejected and crucified between two criminals, one doubting angel asked him, “Is there any Plan B?” Jesus assured them that there was no need for a Plan B because he had prepared a core group who had received the power of the Holy Spirit to carry his mission to the ends of the earth. Isn’t it amazing? Christ is counting on us. Just remember, we are not on our own because the Holy Spirit has been given to us.

Light shows us the way to travel the road of life. This light is powered by a daily relationship with Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life.

“You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.”

Before the time of fridges, salt was the best way to preserve food. Christians preserve the ideals of Jesus in society. In cooking, salt draws out the natural and tasty juices. Salt heals, though it stings in doing so. Christians may be stung by criticism and violent opposition. Nobody said it would be easy. Like St. Paul in today’s Second Reading, we follow a crucified Christ.
Light shows us the way to travel the road of life. This light is powered by a daily relationship with Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life.
“But if salt loses its taste what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot.”
Have we become cowardly in standing up for Christ? Do we respect God’s name? Are we lukewarm in our prayer? Have we settled for mediocrity? Do we pick and choose what we like but reject what doesn’t suit us?
Pope Francis wrote that each one of us is a mission. We desperately need what he called Spirit-filled Evangelizers, spiritually alive, awake, beacons of light, joyful in the Lord … light of the world and salt of the earth.
There is no need for Plan B. Play your part in Plan A.