Remembering Sister Clara Rehberg (d.1909)
The first Sister of St. Agnes . . .
Gertrude Rehberg, named Sister Mary
Agnes Clara, is one of the first of three women to join Father Rehrl. He provides a convent in the village of Barton, Wisconsin, where the
sisters receive rudimentary instruction in religious life and for teaching.
The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2026
February 8, 2026
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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.
A Quieting Prayer
i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping
greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of
sky; and for everything
which is natural which
is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday;
this is the birth
day of life and love and
wings: and of the gay
great happening
illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing
seeing
breathing any-lifted
from the no
of all nothing-human
merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes
are opened)
~ e.e. cummings ~
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On the day you are wearing
your certainty like a cloak
and your sureness goes before you
like a shield or like a sword,
may the sound of God’s name
spill from your lips as you have never
heard it before.
May your knowing be undone.
May mystery confound your
understanding.
May the Divine rain down
in strange syllables
yet with an ancient familiarity,
a knowing borne in the blood,
the ear, the tongue,
bringing the clarity that comes
not in stone
or in steel
but in fire, in flame.
May there come one searing word –
enough to bare you to the bone,
enough to set your heart ablaze,
enough to make you
whole again.
