23-Sep-19

Gospel LK 8:16-18
Jesus said to the crowd:
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away.”
Reflection
Jesus said to the crowd:
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light......"
Sometimes we may feel as if we are caught in the middle.
Although we do not want to flaunt our Christianity or brag about our good works, at the same time Jesus told us, "........let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
So, how do we draw others to Christ and "give glory" to our Father while at the same time not sound as if we are "blowing our own horn?"
Not by talking about what we do, but by letting others "see" the power of Christ through the example of how we live.
We should do our good works quietly, trying not to draw attention to ourselves, but instead, to the goodness of God.
"For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light....."
By doing our good works quietly, the “results” of our deeds and actions will "come to light" reflecting the glory of God to those who see them.
"Take care, then, how you hear.”
Am I listening carefully to what Jesus tells me?
"To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away.”
It is true that whether it's learning a language or building muscles, the more we apply ourselves to something the better we become at it. If we exercise, lift weights and eat healthy, our body will become stronger. If we abandon those practices, our muscles will deteriorate.
The same is true of our Christian life.
If we live for self alone, our spirit will shrivel and wilt.
But, each quiet act of kindness we perform for another will send forth a ray of Christ's light into the world and fill the hearts of all who see with God's Holy Spirit.
"There are two ways of spreading the light: to be the candle or the light that reflects it." Edith Wharton