Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Mark 4:21-25
Christians: Lamps Set on a Lampstand Reflecting the Light of Christ

We are often attracted by alluring things—such as delicious food crafted by human hands, social fame, or status—and become deeply entangled, unable to extricate ourselves. When we harbor such thoughts, we neglect God. We forget how He has guided us step by step, drawing us to Himself; we even forget that we were once Christians, sometimes overlooking how God called us. In truth, God constantly reveals His mercy in our lives. Through all that we encounter, He helps us discern His holy will and allows us to experience His infinite love at every moment, like the oxygen that sustains our life, the sunlight, and the clear spring water—always present.

We often experience God’s love as we listen to the Gospel proclaimed to us by our elders, relatives, friends, and even unknown brothers and sisters. Gradually gaining a deeper understanding and knowledge of faith, we develop a desire to establish a closer relationship with God. We wish to receive the Sacrament of Baptism instituted by Jesus Christ, being washed of original sin once and for all in the Most Precious Blood of Christ. Through anointing with the Holy Spirit, we are freed from sin and death, no longer called children of darkness or of the devil, but children of God. When we receive the initiation sacraments, the ministering priest (bishop, cardinal, or Pope) takes fire from the Paschal candle blessed for the celebration of the glorious Resurrection of the Lord. A candle lit from this sacred flame is passed to us through our godparents, so that through the light of Christ we receive, we become children of light. By these sacraments, we are consecrated and share in the triple ministry of king, priest, and prophet. Thus, we are called to proclaim all that Christ taught to the world, sharing the light of Christ with our neighbors, that they may live in the light as we do, through all that we do.

Today, let us pray to Jesus, asking Him to grant us wisdom and understanding, to fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit in communion with Him. May we bring the true light that enlightens everyone to those living in darkness, the love of Christ to those forgotten by all, and let the comforting light of Christ be present in every corner of the world. Amen.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica