January 23, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Lord is my light and my salvation. — Psalm 27:1

Mass Readings: Isaiah 8:23-9:3 / 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17 / Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17 

Darkness and Light 

If there’s one verse that sums up the whole Bible it’s Isaiah 9:1 from today’s readings: “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” We’ve been saved, and the Old and New Testaments tell how it happened. Mankind fell into darkness with Adam and Eve’s sin. God chose a people. When His people fell into slavery, He delivered them. When Israel was unfaithful, He stuck with them. When His Son was tortured and killed, God raised Him up. That’s our personal story too. We are sinners who are saved. We die with Christ, and we rise with Him. 

I think this pattern in reenacted all the time in our everyday lives. We suffer and then we find the light of Christ. Darkness and light go together.  

Prayer: Lord Jesus, shine Your light into my life.