Tag Archives: Light

4th Sunday of Lent: Christ cures the blindness of our hearts. Catholic Inspiration

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The healing encounter between Jesus and the blind man brings about the gift of sight, followed later by the gift of faith. We, too, in the darkness of our ignorance and sin, call upon the Lord to foster spiritual sight within our hearts to help us journey through this life to the next.

Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Lent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

Note: the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19th) is transferred to tomorrow.


Study, Pray, Serve: 4th Sunday of Lent

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Here are some of the themes in the Mass readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent.

1st Reading – 1st Samuel 16:1b,6-7,10-13a

  • The Lord sends Samuel to Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint one of his sons as the new king.
  • The Lord then tells Samuel that, “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.”
  • Samuel will eventually anoint the youngest of Jesse’s sons, David.

Psalm – 23:1-6

  • “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
  • The Lord guides through the dark valley and protects us, anointing us with oil and blessing us.

2nd Reading – Ephesians 5:8-14

  • Once we were in darkness, but now we live as children in the light of the Lord.
  • We expose whatever is shameful to the light of Christ.

Gospel – John 9:1-41

  • Jesus encounters a blind man and heals him on the sabbath.
  • Christ proclaims that he is the light of the world, healing both body and soul.
  • Cured of his blindness, the man comes to believe in Jesus.

Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Lent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Study, Pray, Serve: 5th Sunday of the Year

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Let’s explore some of the themes in the readings for the 5th Sunday of the Year.

1st Reading – Isaiah 58:7-10

  • The prophet exhorts the people to corporal works of mercy: sharing food; sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, responding to the needs of others.
  • The Lord responds to us when we care for others, and the Lord’s light shines upon us.

Psalm – 112:4-9

  • “The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.”
  • Light shines upon those who care for the needs of others.

2nd Reading – 1st Corinthians 2:1-5

  • Paul reminds the people that he came to them speaking of Christ crucified.
  • He gave the message simply and without demonstrations of power, so that they would trust in God alone.

Gospel – Matthew 5:13-16

  • Jesus teaches that we are salt and light, meant to use what we have been given for the good of others.
  • When we let our light shine, we give glory to our heavenly Father.

Mass Readings – 5th Sunday of the Year

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: Be a light in the world! Catholic Inspiration

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Both Timothy and Titus were friends and companions of St. Paul. Their example follows the exhortation of Christ to let the light of our faith shine in the world.

Mass Readings – The Memorial of St. Timothy & St. Titus

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

St. Timothy & St. Titus, pray for us!


3rd Sunday of the Year: The light of Christ leads us to repentance. Catholic Inspiration

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From the prophecy of Isaiah to the preaching of Christ, the Lord’s light banishes the darkness in our hearts and leads us to repent of our sins. May we walk in his light!

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of the Year

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Study, Pray, Serve: 3rd Sunday of the Year

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Here are some of the themes in the readings for the 3rd Sunday of the Year.

1st Reading – Isaiah 8:23-9:3

  • The Gentiles who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
  • The people have abundant joy, and the rod of their taskmasters has been broken.

Psalm – 27:1,4,13-14

  • “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”
  • The Lord’s strength gives us courage; we are no longer afraid.

2nd Reading – 1st Corinthians 1:10-13,17

  • Paul urges the people to be united in the same mind and the same purpose.
  • Christ is the source of our unity, and all our efforts give glory to him.

Gospel – Matthew 4:12-23

  • Jesus, preaching repentance, fulfills the words of Isaiah the prophet.
  • The Lord calls Peter and Andrew, then James and John to follow him.

Mass Readings – 3rd Sunday of the Year

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: The Light shines in the darkness! Catholic Inspiration

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The Prologue of the Gospel of John offers a beautiful, mystical reflection on the person of Jesus Christ. The Lord, who is the Word made flesh, is the light of the world who shines in the darkness. May we run to this light!

Mass Readings – 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

St. Sylvester, pray for us!


Daily Mass: Love’s light guides our lives. Catholic Inspiration

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The First Letter of John offers us a crucial spiritual insight about our relationship with the Lord and one another. May our desire to follow Jesus Christ inspire us to continue to walk in his light as we love one another.

Mass Readings – 5th Day in the Octave of Christmas

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

St. Thomas Becket, pray for us!


Daily Mass: Shine with the light of the Lord. Catholic Inspiration

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Just as John the Baptist was “a burning and shining lamp” that guided the people to Jesus, we, too, are called by the Lord to shine with the light of Christ in the world today.

Mass Readings – Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives


Daily Mass: Those who follow the Lord will have the light of life. Catholic Inspiration

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Both Isaiah and the Psalmist urge us to follow the Lord in word and action so that we may dwell in God’s living light.

Mass Readings – Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, pray for us!


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