Sunday Reflection with Canon Robin Gibbons - 8th February 2026

Hunt - Light of the World Manchester version

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Whilst we may underrate the virtue of humility, possibly because in the hustle and bustle of our 21st century life the lure of success, prosperity and the search for happiness has such a seductive pull. But those of us who have a more realistic approach to what is on offer and are very aware that most of us struggle, and have to work hard for what we so desire, see our journey in broader terms not simply the narrow pursuit of individual fulfilment. If we take our faith life at all seriously then we also recognise the necessity of understanding ourselves not only as individuals but importantly as part of a community. We understand this through the teachings and example of our good Lord Jesus, especially in the way he sheds light on the power, service, and vocation we have for the gifts of faith, hope and above all love.

Humility is seen as an important part of what it is to be 'godly - and an essential component of what defines and makes us Christian. in last week's reflection we examined a small part of what it means to have that virtue of humility. This week we build on that by taking several practical elements to help us embrace a bit more the humility that is in the heart of God's care and love for us all, and into which gift we are invited to share and make our own.

Isaiah in our first reading and also the responsorial psalm, places before us easily understood patterns of behaviour. Isaiah urges us to be those who reflect the shekinah, the glory of the Lord, which the oppressed for us is the light that is Christ. To become this kind of light for others we must learn to do the following basic things:

'Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you. (Is 58: 7,8)

Our psalm incorporates some of these elements but enlarges the context, placing them (and us) in the setting of our individual vocations, where Christ illuminates goodness and truth:

' Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice".(Ps 112:4-5)

Both Isaiah and the psalmist are handing us the building blocks of humility as a positive force that will somehow help change us for good, in order that we may become bearers of that everlasting light of Christ shining into every area of darkness and sin, driving fear and ignorance away by mercy, but not by our power, instead as Paul reminds us by the invincible weakness of the One who became part of our lives, the One who became humbler yet in order to transfigure and transform us through humility into the light of love.As Paul tells us to become like Christ in true humility is to know and understand that our 'faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God'. (ICor 2: 5)

If you think that we can ignore the search and desire for true humility as something intrinsic to the quality of our Christian life, then Jesus in today's gospel points out how important and foundational it is for each and everyone of us! His reference to our good deeds that becomes as a light that must shine before others is tied up into the image of salt. We all know that salt used in proportion flavours food, and is a necessity for our existence, yet it is often invisible, hidden by other ingredients in the recipes we use. That is part of true humility, to became a flavour for good which does not dominate nor overpower, but gently, subtly, permeates by loving service.

'Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.' (Mt 5:16)

Lectio

From the Desert Fathers

Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said to him: 'Abba, as much as I'm able, I say my little office, I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace, and as much as I'm able, I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?' Then the elder stood up and stretched his hands towards heaven. His fingers became like ten lamps of fire and he said to him: 'If you want, you can become all flame.' (Abba Joseph of Panephysis)

From Saint Seraphim of Zarov

In this conversation with Nicholas Motovilov, St Seraphim teaches that the goal of the Christian life is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit.

..Father Seraphim took me very firmly by the shoulders and said: "We are both in the Spirit of God now, my son. Why don't you look at me?"

I replied: "I cannot look, Father, because your eyes are flashing like lightning. Your face has become brighter than the sun, and my eyes ache with pain."

Father Seraphim said: "Don't be alarmed, your Godliness! Now you yourself have become as bright as I am. You are now in the fullness of the Spirit of God yourself; otherwise you would not be able to see me as I am."

Then, bending his head towards me, he whispered softly in my ear: "Thank the Lord God for His unutterable mercy to us! You saw that I did not even cross myself; and only in my heart I prayed mentally to the Lord God and said within myself: 'Lord, grant him to see clearly with his bodily eyes that descent of Thy Spirit which Thou grantest to Thy servants when Thou art pleased to appear in the light of Thy magnificent glory.' And you see, my son, the Lord instantly fulfilled the humble prayer of poor Seraphim. How then shall we not thank Him for this unspeakable gift to us both? Even to the greatest hermits, my son, the Lord God does not always show His mercy in this way. This grace of God, like a loving mother, has been pleased to comfort your contrite heart at the intercession of the Mother of God herself. But why, my son, do you not look me in the eyes? Just look, and don't be afraid! The Lord is with us!"

After these words I glanced at his face and there came over me an even greater reverent awe. Imagine in the centre of the sun, in the dazzling light of its midday rays, the face of a man talking to you. You see the movement of his lips and the changing expression of his eyes, you hear his voice, you feel someone holding your shoulders; yet you do not see his hands, you do not even see yourself or his figure, but only a blinding light spreading far around for several yards and illumining with its glaring sheen both the snow-blanket which covered the forest glade and the snow-flakes which besprinkled me and the great Elder. You can imagine the state I was in!

"How do you feel now?" Father Seraphim asked me.

"Extraordinarily well," I said.

"But in what way? How exactly do you feel well?"

I answered: "I feel such calmness and peace in my soul that no words can express it."