THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, JANUARY 29, 2026

MASS READINGS:

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

For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.

The nuns of the order of The Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul in Houston were relocating so they had a garage sale. I showed up on the second day, so most of their large furniture, books, paintings had been sold. But there were still some good books, a few paintings, book shelves and lamps. The lamp that caught my eye was situated next to a reading chair and I had already found the perfect spot in my living room for it.

Unfortunately, the living room space was too big for the little lamp. The ceiling was high, the walls were wide, and there were many shadows on the walls as the tall floor lamps dazzled with their brightness. The little lamp was so small! The "reading chair" was deep and dark and needed a large lamp. Its light was weak, insignificant and of not much help. That space was still too dark.

This Christmas I moved the lamp to the table where the manger was placed. Its small space of light glowed through the stable's open windows. You could feel the warmth on that cold night as some of that light lit up the face of Jesus. That was the perfect spot!!

The little lamp was not meant to light up a big space, to be hidden nor used for unintended purposes. It was meant to shine and give light in a small way. Jesus reminds us that the gift of faith is not something to keep to ourselves. What God reveals to us is meant to be lived openly and shared with others through our words and actions. And though we might feel we have little to offer, if we go where God intends for us to be, He will do the rest of the work. Faithful use of small light leads to a greater light.

Am I letting God's light shine through me?  When we choose to live in the light, God’s grace increases within us and becomes a blessing to others.

God Bless You