Unpacking the Mass with Keith Nester

Episode: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A
Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Keith Nester

Overview

Keith Nester invites listeners to prepare their hearts for the coming Sunday’s Mass by exploring and applying the week’s readings. This episode centers on moving from darkness into light, not as a one-time event, but as an ongoing journey. The discussion focuses on the themes of spiritual transformation, the importance of community, and the dynamic nature of following Christ’s “moving light.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding Ordinary Time and the Call to the Light

• Clarifying Ordinary Time:
  Keith explains that "Ordinary Time" isn't "subpar" but rather a spiritual season following the momentum of Advent and Christmas. It's a time to "maintain something very important: the light we’re all called to live in." (01:42)
• Theme Introduction:
  The central question: Is moving from darkness to light a one-time event? Keith insists it’s not—“the light isn’t static, it moves. And if we want to stay in the light, we need to move with it.” (03:00)

2. First Reading: Isaiah 8:23–9:3 / 9:1–4 – Promise of Light

• Contextualizing Isaiah:
  God warns the people of impending invasion as punishment but promises, “on them light has shined.”
  • Keith: “Even in God’s punishment of them, even in this darkness…was a promise that light would come.” (08:03)
• Personal Application:
  We all encounter darkness—sometimes due to our sin, sometimes due to circumstances outside our control.
  • “There is a promise that God has a plan to draw us out of that darkness into light.” (09:10)

3. Barriers to Stepping into the Light: Fear, Shame, Bitterness

• Shame’s Pull Toward Darkness:
  Keith shares stories of people withdrawing from church or community out of shame, highlighting how shame causes isolation.
  • “To be in the light, you can’t hide. And that can be scary.” (13:00)
  • “If people really knew you… they wouldn’t like you. Have you ever felt that way? Man, I know I have.” (14:00)
• Bitterness and Fear:
  Sometimes, darkness is due to anger at God or others from pain or tragedy.
  • “Fear, shame, and bitterness—they will keep you there [in the darkness].” (17:38)
• Reflection for Listeners:
  Keith encourages examining which—fear, shame, or bitterness—holds us back the most. (18:16)

4. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10–13, 17 – Unity in Community

• St. Paul’s Call to Unity:
  Paul appeals for no divisions: “That you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”
  • Keith: “To be in the light of Christ is to be with others, is to be in their light as well… We’ve got to live in each other’s light.” (20:15)
• Community Is Essential:
  Individual faith can’t replace community—light shines through others, especially when our personal faith is struggling.
  • “The light of Christ reflects off of us onto one another.” (22:12)
• Warning Against Division:
  Following personalities instead of Christ causes spiritual blindness and isolation.
  • “Ultimately, we don’t follow the light of Paul or… Apollos. We follow the light of Christ.” (24:21)

5. Gospel: Matthew 4:12–23 – Jesus, The Moving Light, Calls Disciples

• Old Testament Fulfillment:
  Jesus begins his ministry in the very place Isaiah prophesied—“the land of Zebulun and Naphtali”—manifesting God’s promise. (27:20)
• Call to Discipleship Is Dynamic:
  Jesus doesn’t merely impart knowledge; he invites relationship—“Follow me.”
  • “The world’s understanding of enlightenment [is] about knowledge. God’s way… is about relationship.” (29:15)
• Repentance and Movement:
  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” To follow Christ is to change; enlightenment demands action.
  • “The light of God is a moving light and if you want to stay in it, you have to get moving too.” (31:00)
• Repentance Is Required:
  “He doesn’t say… just add some knowledge. He says, you’ve got to repent. You’ve got to change your thinking and your behavior and follow me.” (32:10)

6. How to Stay in the Light (Practical Application)

Keith outlines four practices for "staying in the light":

a. Believe God’s Promises (33:25)

• “Some of you think you’re too far gone… Stop thinking that it’s not for you.”
• Having faith in God’s plan for restoration, forgiveness, and redemption overcomes shame.

b. Let Go of Fear, Shame, and Bitterness (35:13)

• Fear: “You don’t wait for your fear to disappear… You jump anyway.”
• Shame: “Just admit it, be real about where you are, but then come to God anyway.”
• Bitterness: “Whatever’s been done to us, friends, we’ve got to just be willing to give that to the Lord and step into the light anyway.”
• Memorable moment: Keith’s high dive analogy (36:50): “You didn’t wait for your fear to disappear. You jumped anyway.”

c. Stand in the Light of Others (40:02)

• “We need the light of other people… we don’t experience Christ’s light in a vacuum… The saints are those examples of people who had that light from Christ that just radiated in them.”

d. Keep Moving! Follow God’s Mission (41:41)

• “The light is moving… Figure out what God is up to and get involved.”
• Avoid the temptation to request God’s light for your own projects; instead, look for where God’s light is already shining and join that mission.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The light isn’t static, it moves. And if we want to stay in the light, we need to move with it.” – Keith (03:00)
• On shame: “To be in the light, you can’t hide. And that can be scary.” (13:00)
• Community is essential: “The light of Christ reflects off of us onto one another.” (22:12)
• On following Christ: “The world’s understanding of enlightenment is about knowledge. God’s, about relationship.” (29:15)
• On repentance: “You’ve got to change your thinking and your behavior and follow me.” (32:10)
• High dive analogy about overcoming fear: “You didn’t wait for your fear to disappear. You jumped anyway.” (36:50)
• On movement: “The light is moving. Figure out what God is up to and get involved.” (41:41)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening Theme & Ordinary Time Explainer: 01:10–03:00
• First Reading (Isaiah) & Its Fulfillment: 03:00–10:30
• Discussion on Shame & Stories: 12:20–17:38
• Barriers: Fear, Shame, Bitterness: 17:39–19:30
• Second Reading (1 Corinthians): 19:31–25:45
• Gospel Reading & Call to Discipleship: 27:20–33:00
• Staying in the Light, Practical Steps: 33:25–43:00

Tone & Style

Keith’s language is warm, direct, and practical, filled with personal stories and relatable analogies. He emphasizes humility, community, and honest self-assessment, inviting listeners to participate through self-reflection and engagement in faith communities.

Summary Takeaway

The episode encourages Christians to see life in Christ as an ongoing journey from darkness into light. This journey involves embracing God’s promises, overcoming shame and bitterness, seeking unity in community, practicing repentance, and actively “moving” with God’s purposes in the world—not as isolated individuals, but as members of a mission-driven, loving community.