The person who has been "saved," who has "heard the good news of salvation," still lives in an unsaved world, a world sadly oblivious to the presence of God. Today's readings outline how the disciple is present in the world.
 
The outline begins with Isaiah: "Share your bread . . . shelter the oppressed . . . clothe the naked" (Isaiah 58:7). Those who hear the word of salvation are not insensitive to the urgent needs of others. Then Paul reminds his flock that he brought Christ to them not in eloquence or wisdom, but by being with them in the "weakness and fear" of their daily lives (1 Corinthians 2:3). Finally, Jesus tells his disciples to go out into the gloom and darkness of the streets of the world and let God's light shine through their good deeds.
 
We disciples don't save the world. To the extent, however, that we have heard the word of God and been awakened to God's presence, we may spread that word and bring that presence to others.
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