From Living Faith Daily Catholic Devotions (Jan/Feb/Mar 2026)

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 58:7-10 + Psalms 112:4-9 + 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 + Matthew 5:13-16

Got a Light?

…your light must shine before others… Matthew 5:16

Once upon a pilgrimage, I met a woman who had recently joined in the Church. While we were standing in line to visit a holy site, I struck up a conversation. “So what made you want to be a Catholic?,” I asked. I’ll never forget her answer. “It was my boss,” she said. “He had a light in him. I wanted what he had.” I had to wonder: Do people see any light in me? Today’s readings challend us all: “Your light must shine before others,” Jesus said. And “Your light shall break like the dawn,” Isaiah wrote (Isaiah 58:8).

At Baptism, we (or our godparents) received a burning candle with the words, “Receive the light of Christ”.

Oday. We have it. But what have we done with it? Are we offering it, sharing it, spreading it around? (Tip: Listen to Isaiah today. He has some suggestions for us.)

Don’t take the gift for granted! There’s a big dark world out there, just waiting for us to set it ablaze.

□ Dcn. Greg Kandra (Dec, Greg Kandra is an award-winning author and journalist. A popular retreat leader, he is also the creator of the blog. The Deacon’s Bench (TheDeaconsBench.com).