Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide

January 25, 2026 (Cycle A, Year II) – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Community Word: Jesus, Light of the world, is the Revelation of God’s love.

Theme: We follow the light of Christ when we spread the Good News in love and unity.

Promise: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Is 9:1a)

Reflection:

The readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time present to us the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and reveal the essence of the Christian mission. In the Gospel, Jesus proclaims, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4:17), and immediately calls His first disciples to follow Him, promising to make them “fishers of men.” This call is not only addressed to a few chosen individuals in Galilee but is extended to the whole Church to this day. To follow Christ is to share in His mission of proclaiming the Good News so that God’s light may reach those who walk in darkness.

The prophecy from Isaiah speaks of a people who have known gloom and distress, yet are now visited by a great light (Is 9:1). This light is fulfilled in Christ, who enters Galilee of the Gentiles, an area marked by diversity and tension, and begins to preach hope and conversion. The coming of Christ does not only dispel darkness; it establishes a new way of living under God’s reign. As Christians, we are not only recipients of this light, but we are also light bearers. Our lives, individually and communally, are meant to reflect the transforming presence of Christ to the world.

However, the second reading from Saint Paul reminds us that the credibility of our witness depends greatly on unity. Paul strongly appeals to the Corinthians to avoid divisions and to be “united in the same mind and in the same purpose” (1 Cor 1:10). When personal preferences, rivalries, or pride take precedence, the proclamation of the Gospel is weakened. Division obscures the light of Christ, while unity allows it to shine more clearly. The Good News is not simply proclaimed by words but by the visible communion of believers who live in love, humility, and mutual respect.

For us as members of the Bukas Loob sa Diyos community, this call is particularly relevant. Our mission is not fulfilled merely by individual zeal but by a shared commitment to live and serve as one body in Christ. Spreading the Good News in love means allowing charity to guide our actions, speech, and decisions. Spreading it in unity means choosing dialogue when there is conflict, cooperation rather than competition, and promoting the common good instead of personal interests. In this way, our community life itself becomes a proclamation of the Gospel.

In our daily Christian living, we are invited to examine how we respond to Christ’s call. Do our relationships reflect the light we have received? Are we instruments of unity in our families, workplaces, and communities, or do we contribute to division? When we consciously choose to follow Christ together, His light becomes visible through our shared witness, drawing others closer to Him and strengthening the Church’s mission. As promised by the prophet Isaiah, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:1a)

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are the light that dispels all darkness. Unite our hearts and minds so that, as one community, we may faithfully proclaim Your Gospel in love. Strengthen us to be instruments of peace and unity, that Your light may shine through our lives for the glory of God. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:

1. In what concrete ways can I help promote unity in my family, workplace, and community so that Christ’s light may be more clearly seen?

2. How determined am I to settle any unresolved conflict, in my personal life and in the community so that I may fully share in the mission of spreading the Good News in love?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:

January 25, 2026 (Sun) – Is 8:23 - 9:3/ Ps 27:1, 4, 13, 14/ 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17/ Mt 4:12-23

January 26, 2026 (Mon) – 2 Sm 5:1-7, 10/ Ps 89:20, 21, 22, 25-26/ Mk 3:22-30

January 27, 2026 (Tue) – 2 Sm 6:12-15,17-19/ Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10/ Mk 3:31-35

January 28, 2026 (Wed) – 2 Sm 7:4-17/ Ps 89:4-5, 27-28, 29-30/ Mk 4:1-20

January 29, 2026 (Thu) – 2 Sm 7:18-19, 24-29/ Ps 132:1-2, 3-5, 11, 12, 13-14/ Mk 4:21-25

January 30, 2026 (Fri) – 2 Sm 11:1-4, 5-10,13-17/ Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 6-7, 10-11/ Mk 4:26-34

January 31, 2026 (Sat) – 2 Sm 12:1-7, 10-17/ Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17/ Mk 4:35-41

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”

Council of Servant Leaders

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alfred S. Kudemus

CSL Secretariat

BLD Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16