Go Above and Beyond:
The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026
February 8, 2026
www.johnpredmoresj.com | predmore.blogspot.com
predmoresj@yahoo.com | 617.510.9673
Isaiah 58:7-10; Psalm 112; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16
The Sermon on the Mount continues with its teaching on the moral life of the believer. The concepts are rather basic as we hear in the Isaiah reading: feed the hungry, shelter the oppressed and homeless, clothe the naked, and care for each other as you would care for your own family. Why then, after 3,000 years, do we need reminding, and why do we collectively do a poor job of it? Especially today, we need to take better care of refugees, displaced persons, and immigrants. While many of you do your part and are exceedingly generous, there are those among us whose attitudes are indifferent or downright hostile. As a human community, we can do better.
We Christians are called to go above and beyond basic humanity. The Gospel shows us that our work is quiet work. We are a people who show the way of goodness and righteousness. We may not always be called to act, but we are called to show our attitudes and wisdom to others. We have to see that our presence in times of discord and confusion slows down the corruption around it. We are to be the ones who remain centered, know how to breathe during confusing times, and respond thoughtfully to crises rather than react precipitously or rashly. We are people who know how to use our anger well. We do not act angrily, but we act out of the energy anger gives us. We show the world that we see goodness and hope, and we inspire others to build up the kingdom of heaven. We must see that we hold onto and cherish what is good to keep it from spoiling or going bad. Our presence magnifies the work of God.
As salt, we realize that we must engage with the world on its terms and creatively figure out how to change it for the better. As salt, we cannot allow ourselves to disappear into the world so that we no longer have any power to change it. We cannot let our hearts and minds get beaten down so that we are defeated, discouraged, or exhausted. We cannot give up hope. We are to stay in the world with softened hearts and keep them from getting battered. An indifferent heart needs resuscitating.
As light, we are to be the beacons of inspiration and hope so that others can see our wisdom of faith and be nourished by it. We are to be models of promise so that others can live one more day. As disciples, we cannot withdraw from the world so that darkness reigns. One candle that it lit in a dark world can help others see. We must find ways to ignite other lights with the flicker that we possess.
You are already that salt and light. You must recognize the privilege you enjoy because you can point the way forward to others who cannot see the good that is being done by so many people. You are the difference makers in the world, especially when you help people move from to an expanded consciousness. You are the ones who continually point out that God’s evolving project is still unfolding, and that God needs us to build this kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. You are the ones who are to show the way of light and goodness. Do well, my friends. Be the peace you want to see in the world. Be the world you want to create.
Scripture for Daily Mass
Monday: (1 Kings 8) The elders of Israel and all the leaders of the tribes, the princes in the ancestral houses of the children of Israel, came to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD’s covenant from the City of David, which is Zion.
Tuesday: (1 Kings 8) Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole community of Israel, and stretching forth his hands toward heaven, he said, “LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below.
Wednesday: (1 Kings 10) The queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon's fame, came to test him with subtle questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very numerous retinues, and with camels bearing spices, a large amount of gold, and precious stones.
Thursday: (1 Kings 11) When Solomon was old his wives had turned his heart to strange gods, and his heart was not entirely with the LORD, his God, as the heart of his father David had been.
Friday (1 Kings 11) “Take ten pieces for yourself; the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will tear away the kingdom from Solomon’s grasp and will give you ten of the tribes. One tribe shall remain to him for the sake of David my servant, and of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.’”
Saturday (1 Kings 12) Jeroboam thought to himself: "The kingdom will return to David's house. If now this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, the hearts of this people will return to their master, Rehoboam, king of Judah,
and they will kill me."
Gospel:
Monday: (Mark 6) As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.
They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.
Tuesday: (Mark 7) When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem
gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.
Wednesday (Mark 7) “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.”
Thursday (Mark 7) Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth,
and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.
Friday (Mark 7) He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" (that is, "Be opened!")
Saturday (Mark 8) In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.
Saints of the Week
February 8: Jerome Emiliani (1481-1537), was a Venetian soldier who experienced a call to be a priest during this imprisonment as a captor. He devoted his work to the education of orphans, abandoned children, the poor and hungry. He founded an order to help in his work, but he died during a plague while caring for the sick.
February 8: Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947) was a Sudanese who was sold as a slave to the Italian Consul, who treated her with kindness. She was baptized in Italy and took the name Josephine. Bakhita means fortunate. She was granted freedom according to Italian law and joined the Canossian Daughters of Charity where she lived simply as a cook, seamstress, and doorkeeper. She was known for her gentleness and compassion.
February 10: Scholastica (480-543) was the twin sister of Benedict, founder of Western monasticism. She is the patroness of Benedictine nuns. She was buried in her brother's tomb; they died relatively close to one another.
February 11: Our Lady of Lourdes is remembered because between February 11 and July 16, 1858, Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in a cave near Lourdes, France eighteen times. The site remains one of the largest pilgrim destinations. Many find healing in the waters of the grotto during the spring.
February 12: Mardi Gras is your last chance to eat meat before Lent. This is the last day of Carnival (Carne- meat, Goodbye – vale). Say goodbye to meat as we begin the fasting practices tomorrow.
February 14: Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop (Ninth Century), were brothers who were born in Thessalonica, Greece. They became missionaries after they ended careers in teaching and government work. They moved to Ukraine and Moravia, a place between the Byzantium and Germanic peoples. Cyril (Constantine) created Slavonic alphabet so the liturgy and scriptures could be available to them. Cyril died during a visit to Rome and Methodius became a bishop and returned to Moravia.
This Week in Jesuit History
· February 8, 1885. In Chicago, Fr. Isidore Bourdreaux, master of novices at Florissant, Missouri, from 1857 to 1870, died. He was the first scholastic novice to enter the Society from any of the colleges in Missouri.
· February 9, 1621. Cardinal Ludovisi was elected Pope Gregory XV. He was responsible for the canonization of St. Ignatius and St. Francis Xavier.
· February 10, 1773. The rector of Florence informed the general, Fr. Ricci, that a copy of the proposed Brief of Suppression had been sent to the Emperor of Austria. The general refused to believe that the Society would be suppressed.
· February 11, 1563. At the Council of Trent, Fr. James Laynez, the Pope's theologian, made such an impression on the cardinal president by his learning and eloquence, that cardinal decided at once to open a Jesuit College in Mantua, his Episcopal see.
· February 12, 1564. Francis Borgia was appointed assistant for Spain and Portugal.
· February 13, 1787. In Milan, Fr. Rudjer Boskovic, an illustrious mathematician, scientist, and astronomer, died. At Paris he was appointed "Directeur de la Marine."
· February 14, 1769. At Cadiz, 241 Jesuits from Chile were put on board a Swedish vessel to be deported to Italy as exiles.
