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Paul quotes Isaiah: "I have made you a light to the Gentiles" (Is 49:6). Jesus took Isaiah's vision to himself and declared himself to be "the light of the world" (Jn 8:12). To associate us closely with his mission on earth he called upon us also to be the light of the world (Mt 5:24-16).The newly baptized person is given a lighted candle to signify this vocation received in Baptism. If every Christian was truly a light of the world, how bright this world would be, not only with light but also with the splendour of all the graces God has given us, the graces of faith, hope and love, the graces of truth, justice and peace.
Whenever Jesus quoted Isaiah's prophecy, we must see that Isaiah's vision became a vital and enlightening part of Jesus' self-understanding. To whatever degree our spirituality enables us, let us try like Jesus, to assimilate Isaiah's vision, especially his vision of the salvific nature of suffering. This will surely enable us to experience more deeply the joy of the resurrection.
Lord Jesus, though the mystery of your suffering for us is profound and far beyond our understanding, in our own times of suffering, grant us some light that, even here on earth, we may attain to some of the joy of the resurrection.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That economists may have the courage to reject any economy of exclusion and know how to open new paths.
Elaboration
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