Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

“Is a lamp to be placed in a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?” asks Jesus in today’s gospel passage from Mark (Mk. 4:21). The answer to this is quite obvious; a light is not made to be hidden or secret. One way of interpreting this passage is in relation to our lives as Christians. We are not called to live our Christianity in secret, consigning it to the private areas of our lives. Rather, we are called to witness to God’s love in each action of our lives, bearing testimony to the multitude of blessings God has given us. “Is a lamp to be placed in a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?” asks Jesus in today’s gospel passage from Mark (Mk. 4:21). The answer to this is quite obvious; a light is not made to be hidden or secret. One way of interpreting this passage is in relation to our lives as Christians. We are not called to live our Christianity in secret, consigning it to the private areas of our lives. Rather, we are called to witness to God’s love in each action of our lives, bearing testimony to the multitude of blessings God has given us.

Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, we have been, are being, and will be saved. We cannot downplay the importance of this in our lives as Christians. We can encourage one another because God has encouraged us by loving us so much that he sent his only Son Jesus to earth. We are able to be shining lamps because Jesus himself is the light and shares that light with us.

Today, let us thank God for the light he gives us in Christ Jesus by becoming a light to others. Take some time today to reflect on how you might better encourage others. We pray that we might be the kind of people who rouse others to love and good works.

- Maria Morrow