Psalm Reflection: The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle A

“The Lord is my light and my salvation.” - Psalms 27

I have always liked being in the dark. I find it peaceful and serene. I think it is because there is less color, brightness, noise, and stimulation; everything is a wash and my mind can relax.

However, a sudden unknown noise in the dark can turn it from quiet and peaceful to anxious and fearful. When we cannot see what is in front of us, it makes it that much more terrifying to face it. It is a fear of the unknown. 

What made the noise?

Where is it?

How big is it?

Is it dangerous?

Will it hurt me?

The only way we can get answers to those questions is to turn on the light. We need to investigate, to see the threat, and face it in order to know what to do.

In the spiritual life, we all face moments of darkness. It may be darkness due to spiritual desolation—feeling distant from the Lord—or darkness due to sin, both ours and the sins of others that have affected us. 

In order to overcome any darkness, we must first admit it is there. We must acknowledge the ominous sound of something scary and unknown. Once we have admitted to ourselves there is a problem, we need to face it. We need to shed light onto the darkness and see it for what it really is.

This week’s Responsorial Psalm parallels the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John: 

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Jesus is the light, but we are the switch. God gave us free will to decide if we want Him in our lives or not. If we want to remain in darkness, He will not stop us. He will respect our free will and allow us to lose ourselves in the darkness of our own sin. But if we invite Him in, if we flick that switch, His light will pour in to illuminate, heal, and transform us from the inside out.

“I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness” (John 12:46).

“If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7).

The Lord does not want his children to wander in the darkness, He wants to shine a light to reveal the most joyful and abundant way forward. Sometimes it is hard to face what lies in the darkness because we have become accustomed to not seeing it. When we deprive ourselves of light, our eyes become adjusted and we get comfortable to the point that exposure to the light can be too overwhelming at first.

Whatever the darkness is in your life—whatever sin, despair, torment, anxiety, worry, mistakes, or demons you have buried inside of you—know that the light of Christ can both reveal and heal. 

When things are mentionable they become manageable. When we can name our struggles, we claim their power over us. This week’s Psalm response is an invitation to name those areas of our heart that are shrouded in darkness and expose them to the light of Christ’s merciful love.

There is healing, hope, and new life in Him. 

Do not linger in the darkness any longer.

Flick the switch and let the Lord’s love shine upon you.

Where in your life do you linger in the dark? What "unknown noise" stirs anxiety there—sin, wound, fear?

What keeps your hand from flipping the switch on some struggle? Fear of the glare? Comfort in shadows?

What buried "demons"—habits, regrets, hurts—need to be exposed? 

Amid desolation or others' sins wounding you, what "one thing" do you seek from the Lord to illuminate your heart?

Where has Christ's light felt blinding? What joy awaits as your eyes adjust?

I am praying for you. Please pray for me and my family, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, January 25th, 2026, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14.