Скачать или смотреть Sunday Reflections | 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time | Year A

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 5th February, 2023 | Year A
The readings of today have a special reference to light. Prophet Isaiah speaks of the light within a person shining forth like a dawn breaking forth. The Psalmist calls the just person a light in darkness for the upright. Jesus, in the Gospel, says a light is not hidden, but kept on a lampstand, and followers of his way, are light for the world, so that others can look up to the light emanating from them, and give glory to God. So what is this light? Is Scripture speaking of units of light – like lumens or lux, which are units of light energy in scientific terms? Or is there a symbolic meaning for it?
In the book of Genesis, God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light.” Light is hope, wisdom and goodness — God brings us that and it'll never go away. In Jn 11:8-9, when the disciples warn Jesus, that going back towards Jerusalem could be dangerous for him, he answered the disciples, 'Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.’ About Walking in the day – Jesus is talking of walking according to the light of God’s will. So, in the gospel passage too, he invites us to walk according to the light of God’s will. Only when we are able to walk in the acceptance of God’s will for us, can we be true witnesses to those who are seeking God, those who are seeking hope and an answer to their problems. In the Bible, light has always been a symbol of holiness, goodness, knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope, and God's revelation and by contrast, darkness has been associated with evil, sin, and despair. In various biblical passages, reference to light has been made speak of or express righteousness and goodness. Prov 4:18, says, “ the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day,” St paul’s letter to the Ephesians 5:13, we are told “ all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.” And so many other passages. All these reveal that light is symbolic of righteous living and harking the call of Jesus, to be the LIGHT of the WORLD is to take up the challenge of righteous living. Year after year , we get this invitation from Jesus, when we listen or read this passage, and today again, he is inviting us to allow the light of God’s will to penetrate our day to day lives – the way we behave with our brothers and sisters at home, with our wives or husbands, with our children, with our neighbours, with our parishioners or members in society or our places of work, in our religious communities or parish house teams. Our words, gestures, choices of behaviour, are they bringing light to others – i.e. are they signs of wisdom , holiness, hope, grace and God’s revelation --- or are they increasing darkness around – sin, despair, evil?
On this 5th Sunday in Ordinary time, it being the 5th of February, I am happy to tell you that it is the feast day of Ven. Thecla Merlo, the Co-Foundress of the Daughters of ST Paul. Her life and ways, spread the light of righteous living, as she was constantly obedient to God’s will, through pain and sacrifice in helping in the foundation of our Congregation along with Bl. James Alberione, and spreading the Good News not only through the dissemination of the Word of God through Catholic literature and films but also through her life.
I wish you a Happy Sunday and may your life spread the light of God’s Word, to all you meet.
Pauline Sisters are canonically the Daughters of St Paul, a congregation of Pontifical right, founded in 1915.
Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel using the means of communication available -- books, booklets, cards, mini-media, songs, videos .
We also do media education for children, youth and adults in schools and other seminar venues. More details on our website
On Youtube you can subscribe to our channel... here where you are watching and get our videos , also from our other channel
https://paulineindia.org/
Pauline Books and Media https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbOj...
On Facebook,   / pauline.india  
On Twitter   / paulinesindia  
Pinterest   / paulinesindia  
Instagram   / paulinesist.  .