Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the third week in ordinary time, January 29th, 2026

Delivered by Ria from the Parish of Good Shepherd in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. 2 Samuel 7: 18-19.24-29; Rs psalm 132: 1-2.3-5.11.12.13-14; Mark 4: 21-25.LIGHT OF THELAMP Our meditation today is entitled: Light of the Lamp.In Jesus' day, there was no electricity. People used lamps or torches forlighting at home and on the road. But in our day, lamps are hardly used becauseelectricity is already the light for the inhabitants of the earth. The mentionof the lamp in the scriptures and the teachings of the Lord Jesus remainsrelevant to us today, which is to put more emphasis on its spiritual message.  In darkness of the world either in our houses orelsewhere, people rely on the light they have in their hands, such ascellphones, tablets, or flashlights. However, if there is noelectrical-electronic equipment available, one of the intruments that people useis lamp. A burnt candle, kerosene torch, or wood burning have the sameimportance as lamps light that easy to find in our homes. The Lord Jesus used the symbol of the lamp to teach usabout the role of every believer as a lamp that has its flame. The Holy Spirit whohas been in us since baptism always puts His fire to enable our minds open tothe words conveyed to us and make our existence relevant to all the realitiesof life that we experience. The fire of the Holy Spirit also burns and warmsour hearts to enable us see and believe in the hope whenever there aredifficulties and pains that trouble us. There is lamp and fire in every one of us. God intendsto make every man and woman His co-worker. The followers of Christ are intendedtake part in the mission of Jesus Christ. So they are God's co-workers in thisworld. The function of the lamp or fire in every person is generally twofold,namely as a light on the way to God and a light for life in the world. The path to God is not always smooth and easy. Jesushimself even says that the way is narrow. King David himself needed divinelight in order to understand and live the trust that God had put in him. Thelong journey of life is often hindered by various forms of darkness. So thelamp in every person is very useful in illuminating and guiding along the pathand we know that the way to God is the way of Jesus Christ. The world with all its circumstances often becomesdark because of all its limitations such as ignorance, discrimination, lies,violence and death. Our mission as followers of Christ requires us to be lampswith the light that illuminates, guides, and enlightens the world. May ourlamps remain burning until the end of our life in this world. Let us pray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus, fillus always with the light of Your Spirit so that we may be more steadfast inbecoming Your witnesses in this world. Hail Mary, full of grace... In the nameof the Father ...