THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, JANUARY 30, 2025

MASS READING:

Gospel

Mark 4:21-25

Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

REFLECTION

“Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed and not to be placed on a lamp stand?”

At home we have a drawer full of flashlights, batteries, candles and matches. We use them when needed and then put them away.

If they fail us in times of darkness, we are, for awhile, sitting in fear and uncertainty, with the temperature dropping, wind howling or tree limbs passing by with the force of the storm.

Eventually the electricity comes back, the storm passes and we pick up the mess.

Kind of reminds me of how our spiritual life can be. If we have no use in a life with God, we can put our soul in a drawer. When storms hit us, we pray sincerely and persistently to be carried through this dark moment. And when all is over, we put prayer life away.

God is present to us all the time. Our situations in life are never obstacles to His love. They are a means by which He draws us closer to Himself.

Darkness or fear, uncertainty, doubt and hesitancy can be a thing of the past, if we keep His light always shining in us. Daily prayer life helps us grow in His image filling us with confidence, trust and faith. We then can share this light with others. Keep our love for God alive, awake, and always present for all to see. Be energized with the light of success through the daily reading of Holy Scripture, His Word, frequent Confession, daily Mass and the rosary.

So when darkness comes, we don’t have to go searching through drawers, but, with trust rely on God's good providence and Will.

God bless you