Preaching from the Mountain - Making our Lives Purposeful, Meaningful and Joyful

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time:  February 08, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 58:7–10; Psalm 112:4–9; 1 Corinthians 2:1–5; Matthew 5:13–16

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/hEkPCrwnf7A

What is it that makes us needed in this world? It is when we feel loved, cared for, and sought after. However, to have such an aspiration, we too must be men and women of compassion, love, joy and peace. It means that we must be of some use to others. We must be men and women of such a nature that we have something to contribute to the lives of others, or have the capacity to do something for the welfare of people. This makes our lives meaningful, purposeful and joyful. The liturgical readings on this 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to make our lives purposeful, meaningful and useful just as the salt of the earth and lamp on a lampstand, as Jesus narrates the metaphors that could be applied very well to our lives as well.

1. Making life beautiful with simple things

In the Gospel of Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus speaks to us in images that are ordinary, almost humble—salt and light—yet charged with quiet power. He does not speak about rocket science. Through simple things, he makes us think big. He does not ask us to become something extraordinary or rare; he reminds us of what we already are. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Not “you should be,” but “you are.” The call of discipleship begins not with achievement, but with identity. It is by being.

Salt does not exist for itself. It dissolves, disappears, and yet transforms everything it touches. A pinch is enough to bring life to what would otherwise be tasteless. Jesus calls us to be authentic. We must not look for applause or recognition. We should be what we are called to be. We are not here to dominate others. Just like salt preserves what is good, heals what is wounded, we too are called to bring meaning, purpose and joy to our lives and the lives of others. 

2. Being courageous witnesses of the Gospel

It is said, don't curse the darkness but the light candle. Light drives away darkness. You cannot keep the lit candle hidden for long. Every inch of flame and light pushes back the darkness. Jesus does not say we must create the light; he says we must not hide it. Often, it is fear, comfort, or the desire to blend in that tempts us to place the lamp under a basket. We worry about being judged, misunderstood, or rejected. But the Gospel says that the light we carry is not meant to protect us, but to guide others. Jesus emphasizes our unique role as mediators and guides, taking others along with us to be partakers of divine nature.

The words of Jesus resound so powerfully to make our lives worthy of its calling. He calls us to a life of balance and beauty. Salt works silently; light shines visibly. As Christians, we are called to hold life together.  We are called with a purpose to be good and credible, to be humble and helpful. We are also called to be courageous witnesses of the joy of the Gospel. When there is a demand for truth and justice, then we must not shrink from taking responsibility to set things right. Faith that never risks being lived, that never engages the messiness of human reality, slowly becomes bland, irrelevant and tasteless.

3. Challenge to make our life incredible

As we move in this ordinary time of the year, the Word of God invites us to ask ourselves not how bright our faith looks, but how deeply it enhances life around us. It challenges us to trust that even small acts of fidelity, kindness, compassion, patience, choices, integrity, and justice matter. When faith is lived with quiet consistency and gentle courage, the world tastes something different, and the darkness does not have the final word. In his letter to the Corinthian community, St Paul draws our attention away from what usually impresses the world—eloquence, brilliance, and persuasive arguments—and leads us to something far more unsettling and liberating: weakness embraced for the sake of Christ. 

St Paul makes a startling confession. He did not come with lofty words or clever philosophies, but with fear, trembling, and a single focus—Jesus Christ, and him crucified. St Paul realized that when human strength loosens its grip, God’s power finds room to act. Faith, he insists, must rest not on the brilliance of human reasoning, but on the power of God. In a world that values performance, efficiency, and visible success, when it calls to prove ourselves, competent and convincing, we must fall back to St Paul's wisdom. Everything cannot be explained, but must be slowly grasped. 

Questions for self-reflection

1. In what ways am I being called to be salt—bringing meaning, healing, or hope—into the ordinary situations of my daily life?
2. Do my actions quietly point others toward God, or do they draw attention mainly to myself?
3. Where might God be inviting me to trust that even small acts of goodness can make a real difference?
4. Do we rely too heavily on our abilities, our knowledge, or our religious credentials? Or are we willing to stand, like Paul, in humility, allowing God to be God? 

Prayer:

Lord God, you have called us to be salt for the earth and light for the world. Shape our hearts so that we may live this calling with humility and courage. Free us from the fear that hides our faith and from the desire to draw attention to ourselves. Let our words and actions gently reflect your love, bringing hope where there is weariness and light where there is darkness. May our daily lives give glory to you and quietly lead others closer to your presence. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ

E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net

Blog: Celebrate Faith

Video: YouTube

06 February 2026

Beatitudes - Standing for the Values of Eternity

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time:  February 01, 2026

Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; Psalm 146:6-10; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon on the Mount by Jesus
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/peSN51zglrM

We do desire to make a mark here on this earth. We wish to distinguish ourselves from others. We want to be differentiators. God has blessed us not only in his own image and likeness, but also endowed us with a gift of uniqueness. Two people are not the same. Everyone has something different from the other. However, this uniqueness does not stop us from doing something together for the welfare of others. Whatever we do should be good, beautiful, and useful. It must bring a smile on the faces, joy to their lives. It is not that SMART concept that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound that we are talking about. It is simply about being good, having the best attitudes and being generous in our thoughts and actions. In this context, we have the beautiful readings on the fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus speaks about the beatitudes, in other words, cultivating certain values, attitudes, virtues, which are higher and are close to the heart of God.

1. Standing for values and the Logic of God

The Gospel of St Matthew 5:1-12 leads us up a quiet hill, where Jesus sits and opens his words of wisdom—not to command, not to accuse, but to bless. “Blessed are the poor in spirit… blessed are the meek… blessed are the peacemakers.” These familiar words of Jesus still unsettle us. They turn the logic of the world upside down. Interestingly, Jesus does not call the powerful blessed, nor the self-sufficient, nor the loud and triumphant. Instead, he names as blessed those who know their need of God, those who mourn, those who hunger for righteousness, those who choose mercy when revenge seems easier. 

Listening to the Call of God-man - Jesus

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 25, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 8:23–9:3; Psalm 27:1, 4, 13–14; 1 Corinthians 1:10–13, 17; Matthew 4:12–23

Jesus calls his first disciples
 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/9upXlLh9QLU

Whom do we follow today? The person of integrity, sincerity and of trust? We live in a trust-deficient world. Often, those whom we believe are trustworthy, people of integrity and sincerity, let us down with their hidden agendas, wicked deeds and unconcealed evil ideas. There is a scarcity of people whom we consider as generous, people of others and people of God. There are also people with no selfishness and don't accumulate wealth in this world for themselves. They are joyful and find meaning in doing good, letting themselves go so that others are happy. They are content in the company of others. Their benevolence is noticed by their life. In this context, we have beautiful readings on the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Even without knowing Jesus, people trusted him when he called them. He invited them to join his company. The overflowing goodness and other-centredness marked their lives. 

1. Jesus meets where people are

The Gospel of Matthew 4:12–23 opens in a quiet, unsettling moment: John the Baptist is arrested, and Jesus withdraws to Galilee. Jesus enters another world of preaching. Unlike John, Jesus is on the streets, valleys, mountains, seaside, etc., meeting with the ordinary. Jesus has no fixed place or fixed people. He moves into the periphery. He meets people where they are. It is not people who come in search of him at this moment, but he meets people in their workplaces. The surroundings of the Sea of Galilee become his place of work, in place of the river Jordan, which John the Baptist had chosen. Jesus' world is bigger, clearer, and nearer to people. That is how Jesus encounters four of his first disciples. All of them are working people, perhaps workaholics. Until Jesus calls them, they are busy mending their nets.

Listening to the Voice of God - Pointing at the Right Messiah

02nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: 18 January 2026

Readings: Isaiah 49:3, 5–6; Psalm 40:2, 4, 7–10; 1 Corinthians 1:1–3; John 1:29–34

Lamb of God by Domenichino
 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/6zRJ2JmF5NU

The world in which we live is quite big, and so are the complexities that affect our lives. Navigating and finding the right solutions and the right people to guide us is often difficult and challenging. People often point out at others as the right gurus or leaders, but unfortunately, they are not. The wickedness and evil are everywhere, and these people confirm that they are the ones. Even believing someone has become very tough today. Trust is the problem. There is no clarity, credibility, courage, or straightforwardness among these people. In this context, often we are left alone to find our way or marga. As we reflect on this dimension of right people and right time, the liturgical reading on this 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time is not only marvellous, but also we find Jesus, even John the Baptist, pointing at him as Messiah, the Saviour whom the Israelites waited for so long. In fact, he is the greatest prophet of all time, John the Baptist, who points at Jesus and says that he is the right one.

1. Jesus: Behold, the Lamb of God

Standing on the quiet banks of the river Jordan, where John the Baptist works, not as a performer of wonders, but as a witness overwhelmed by what he sees. John does not say, “Here is a wise teacher” or “Here is a holy man,” but “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” In John 1:29–34, there is no thunder, no crowd reaction recorded, no dramatic conversion scene. And yet, what unfolds is one of the most awe-filled moments in the Gospel: a human being recognizing God standing before him.

Baptism of Jesus - Immersing Oneself into the Reality of this World

The Baptism of the Lord: Sunday 11 January 2026

Readings: Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7; Psalm 29:1–4, 9–10; Acts 10:34–38; Matthew 3:13–17

The painting by Jan van Scorel on the Baptism of Christ
 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/fompCshra8k

The greatness of the great people is known more by their deeds than their words. They embody a sense of humility and kindness. They are ready to become low in order to make others great. They are always at work with people, bringing mercy and compassion. They are a beacon of hope to the hopeless, courage to the fearful, and consolation to those inconsolable. They nurture a sense of Godliness and holiness. They are those whom we like them to be around. Their presence itself is grace. They bring so much joy and peace. Without them, we feel empty, or something is missing. They lead people to God. They are fearless and ready to die for the cause they hold so dear. Words like "lies" or "laziness" are not in their dictionaries. They speak for God and offer their lives to God and God alone. They speak the truth and work towards justice. As we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have beautiful liturgical readings. We see John the Baptist and Jesus, the men of God, ready to be embraced by the Spirit of God at a very important moment of their lives. The courage and humility that we see in both of them are truly inspiring as we still feel the warmth of the New Year 2026. 

1. Baptism of Jesus - Being in Solidarity with others. 

On this Sunday, as the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the Gospel of Matthew (3:13–17) invites us to stand on the banks of the river Jordan and contemplate a profound mystery. Jesus, the sinless One, the Son of God, the God-Man steps into the waters of repentance. He does not need baptism, yet He chooses it. In doing so, He enters fully into the human condition and sanctifies the waters of our lives.

Epiphany of the Lord - Called to Proclaim with Credibility

The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord: January 04, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 60:1–6; Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 10–13; Ephesians 3:2–3, 5–6; Matthew 2:1–12

The Nativity of Christ by  Franz von Rohden
 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/Bdcd3_gjHpY

As we start the new year 2026, we are very much in the Season of Christmas. The joy of this season still permeates around us. We are also joyful as we say goodbye to the year 2025 and welcome the year 2026. We are hopeful that this new year brings us glad tidings and beautiful things in our lives. With such hope and earnestness, we begin our journey of life this year. Liturgically, we are celebrating today the feast of the Epiphany, which is also called the manifestation of the Lord to others. It is celebrated as the visit of the three Kings or Magi to the baby Jesus. The liturgical readings of today invite us look at the simplicity and trust of these three kings or representatives of the wider world and embrace the Son of God wholeheartedly. 

1. Always, there is a deeper yearning for God

The Feast of the Epiphany invites us to contemplate a God who reveals Himself gently and lovingly to all who search for truth. In the story of the Magi, we see a God who does not impose Himself through power or force, but who attracts the human heart through a star, a journey, and a humble child lying in a manger. The Magi remind us that faith is born from a deep longing and yearning — a longing to discover meaning, to seek light, and to encounter God. They did not reach Bethlehem by accident; they allowed the restlessness of their hearts to lead them forward. They looked beyond themselves, beyond comfort and certainty, and trusted the signs God placed before them.