About GNM
Support Catholic Ministry
Digital MinistryVideos & Podcasts
Faith Builders
Saints for Your Life
Books By Terry Modica
Social Networks
Table of Contents Miracles & the Holy Spirit Spiritual Growth Suffering / Healing Bereavement Intimacy With Jesus Catholic Doctrine (FAQs)
Virtual Retreats
VIRTUAL REALITY RETREATS
Prayer
The Rosary
Your support is needed. Please help us continue to serve. Make a difference now >>
My Soul Shall Be Healed
by Terry Modica
An easy-to-use study guide on Ecclesia de Eucharistia
(The Church of the Eucharist) by Saint John Paul II
Get your copy today!
Monday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Priest, and Paul Chong Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
September 20, 2021
Beloved Lord, I ask for Your forgiveness because my actions have not always been a reflection of what You have sown in me. Amen.
Ezra 1:1-6
Ps 126:1b-6
Luke 8:16-18
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092021.cfm
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/2021-09-20
![[ Listen to the podcast of this reflection ]](/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/podbean.png)
Jesus says in today's Gospel reading that no one lights a lamp just to hide it. You and I -- our lives have been lit up by Christ, and of course we want others to benefit from it. The good news is so good that we want to make Jesus available to those who are seeking more light for their own paths. We want to put ourselves where others can see Jesus shining in us so that their faith grows.
The people around us should have access to the reasons why Jesus has made a difference in our lives so that they can be uplifted by our example and our testimony.
Interestingly, Jesus connects this with another important principle of our faith: "To those who have, more will be given." Think "responsibility" in understanding why God would give more to those who already have much. When we recognize our responsibilities in spreading the light of Christ, we become aware of additional opportunities to reveal Christ to others.
Opportunities occur every day in our ordinary circumstances. Everything we do should reveal the light of Christ. Those who fail to take seriously the need and importance of sharing this light are hiding their lamps under beds of laziness.
Who around you is suffering through a tragedy or difficulty? They're instinctively seeking a light that will lead them to hope, to love, to healing, and to the restoration of goodness. What are you doing to give them more of Christ's illumination?
Who around you has insufficient faith? They want to be assured that God cares; they're ready to grow. Will you say yes to the responsibilities that God has placed in front of you to make a difference?
There are many reasons why we hide our lamps. Perhaps we assume that evangelization is someone else's responsibility. Or we look at the darkness of others and feel inadequate; this comes from distrusting the ability of Christ to enlighten others through us. Or we fear rejection and persecution. In each case, we allow the darkness of discouragement and negativity and hopelessness to spread. Our light fades.
But when we allow the light of Christ to take over our lives so brightly that it changes us, we naturally grow in our concern for others and their level of faith. We enjoy opening ourselves to others so that they can see Jesus shining in us.
If you feel unprepared to use current opportunities to let Christ shine from you, avail yourself of the extra grace that's available in the Sacrament of Reconciliation to become the light that you are meant to be. Let your concern for others be the fuel for your light.
For more on this subject, read our WordByte called: "Sharing the Light of Christ" @ https://wordbytes.org/evangelization-ministry/sharing-the-light-of-Christ/
Join the conversation on this reflection at
How else can we serve you today? Visit our homepage.
What can we cover in prayer for you? Post your prayer request.
© 2021 by Terry Ann Modica
This may be printed for personal use only. To distribute multiple copies for others, please order it professionally published from Catholic Digital Resources @ catholicdr.com/liturgical-calendar/. Or else share the link to this page and invite your friends to print their own copy. Thank you!
Sign up to receive these daily! Go to gogoodnews.net
Join us in sharing faith with the world
Nine-Day Consecration to Saint Joseph
A free PDF document of this is available your own personal use.
However, your support can help us continue to publish faith-building resources like this.
For sharing with others, please order it from Catholic Digital Resources. (Can't pay for it? No worries! Apply for a free gift voucher, which is our charitable donation to your ministry.)
To obtain the document with a Single User License, please submit this copyright contract agreement. See our copyright usage permissions policy.
Radical Love: Reflections for Couples
215 short inspirational messages that bring God’s radical love into the context of romantic relationships.
Two private reflection questions at the end of each message will help you apply the messages to your everyday life and challenges. This is followed by ideas for discussing the topic as a couple to further integrate it into your relationship.
[ MORE ]
9-Day Consecration to St. Joseph
Each day of this novena contains a brief story about various apparitions of St. Joseph, with special prayers.
With this consecration, we seal ourselves as his children. We place into his fatherly protection ourselves, our families, our jobs and ministries, and the Church. We also consecrate to his fatherhood those who are not following Christ, especially our own family members, because Joseph’s desire in heaven is that all of his children love his son, Jesus, and follow him to everlasting life.
[ MORE ]
Victor
A suspense-filled Christian novel about the saving power of love. Patti Regall is a young mother trying to escape from a lifetime of abuse and the devil-worshiping coven that wants to use her little boys, Victor and Vincent, to uncover the identity of the Anti-Christ. When she finds an opportunity to escape, she has to leave Victor behind.
Patti fights her own demons while desperately trying to rescue Victor from the coven. Tobias, a Christian man, comes to her aid. This novel will affirm your faith in Christ’s victorious power.
[ MORE ]
FORGIVEN
A Meditation on the Passion of Christ Through the Eyes of Peter and Judas
Written with a powerfully life-changing twist, this is not the usual Passion story. “Forgiven” shows the passion of Christ as seen through the eyes of Peter and Judas. Each react in different ways to the final days and crucifixion of Jesus. One chooses forgiveness and the other ends his life in terrible guilt.
The story ends with the reunion of Jesus and Peter after the resurrection when Jesus calls Peter to become the first leader of the Church.
This is a fictional account based on the true events of the Passion of Jesus Christ, for the purpose of meditation.
[ MORE ]
How to Win Victories in
Spiritual Warfare
Download a collection of Catholic prayers and scriptures for today’s spiritual warfare battles and for everyday protection.
This printable handbook includes the Prayer for the Presence of Christ, Prayer for the Power of the Holy Spirit, Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel, Prayer to Wear the Armor of God, Saint Patrick’s Breastplate, Prayer to Conquer Evil, Prayer to Break Curses, Prayer for Release from Ancestral Curses, Prayer of Authority to Conquer Demons, Consecration to Mary Defeater of Satan, Consecrate Your Marriage to Mary Ark of the Covenant, Zechariah’s Canticle as a Victory Prayer, and Praying the “Our Father” for Victory Over Evil. Plus more than 200 scriptures!
[ MORE ]
Holy Living
A Bible Study on Christ’s Sermon on the Mount
Jesus taught us how to enter into a life of holiness so that we could receive the full love of God and give it to others. All of his teachings are summed up in one place: The Sermon on the Mount. Here’s an easy and engaging Bible Study to make this relevant to your daily life.
Originally a live parish event, this book is a 17-week Bible Study program designed for Small Christian Communities and Bible Study groups. Individuals will enjoy it too! Each session includes questions that can be used for private reflection or group discussion.
[ MORE ]
The Church of the Eucharist
A 5-Part Study Guide of Ecclesia de Eucharistia, On the Eucharist in its Relationship to the Church, an Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II
This easy to follow study guide explains in ordinary language how to understand this very important Church document and apply it to our every-day lives and today’s world.
The book explores:
• developing a personal relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist
• the Eucharist as the “source and summit of the Christian life”
• what Catholics believe and do not believe about the Eucharist
• why only Catholic priests can consecrate the Communion elements
• the role of the whole community in Holy Communion
[ MORE ]
Knowing God’s Will and Doing it Well
How do you know what God’s will is for your life? Do you know your calling? God has gifted you and has a desire to use your experiences and skills to help make the world a better place and to advance the purposes of his kingdom. Whether it’s in ministry or a secular job, God has a divine plan for you!
This book is a compilation of 20 thought-provoking reflections from Terry's daily Good News Reflections. Use it for meditation, spiritual guidance, and inspiration.
As a bonus, it includes 3 self-assessment tests to help readers figure out which particular ministries God has gifted them to do.
[ MORE ]
Healing in Difficult Relationships
Are you suffering from wounds inflicted by others? Do you feel weary from a difficult relationship? Are you wondering if you should keep trying to persevere and recover the happiness you used to have? Does God seem to be ignoring you as pray desperately for the healing of relationships?
Jesus is reaching out to you in this collection of 20 messages taken from Terry's Good News Reflections. Reading this book is like taking time out on retreat for inner restoration.
[ MORE ]
Lessons from the Blessed Mother
This book is a compilation of reflections from Terry's Good News Reflections, articles from the WordBytes website, and Rosary meditations.
Includes: How I met the Blessed Mother, Living by the Grace of God, Saying Yes to God, How to be a Handmaid of the Lord, Mary’s Trust, Mary’s Courage, The Guarantee of Victory, Giving Birth to Love, The Blessed Mother in Ministry, Sharing in Mary’s Fullness of Grace, Sharing in Mary’s Glory, Time for Action, and more. Plus Q & A about Mary and about the Rosary.
[ MORE ]
[arve url="https://youtu.be/ggPRtoabDm8" title="The Christmas Yes" description="Jesus said yes to humbling himself to become one of us because, as He says to you, “I want to be with you in every way and help you through every trial.”" upload_date="2020-12-07" thumbnail="23617" loop="no" muted="no" /]
Our Teaching Mission
Meet the Team
Texted & Emailed
Stations of the Cross
Live Events
Online Resources
Other Services
Faith-building Resources
Support Our Outreach
