26-Jan-17

Gospel MK 4:21-25
Jesus said to his disciples,
"Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket
or under a bed,
and not to be placed on a lampstand?
For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible;
nothing is secret except to come to light.
Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear."
He also told them, "Take care what you hear.
The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,
and still more will be given to you.
To the one who has, more will be given;
from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."
Reflection:
Today's gospel sets forth two themes: Light, the "lamp on the lamp-stand," and "measuring," the connection between giving and receiving.
As Christians, we possess the light of truth delivered to us by Christ; we are God's children. He loves and forgives us our sins. HIs fondest desire is that we seek to be reunited with Him in heaven.
But, this light is not for us alone. In order to keep it "and have it grow within us,'' we must share it with others.
Jesus said,
"The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,
and still more will be given to you."
The love of God that keeps our own light bright can only be replenished by giving it away, especially to those who live in darkness and despair.
Jesus also said, "To the one who has, more will be given;
from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."
If we keep the truth of God's love to ourselves our lamp will run low on love and our "light" will begin to fade.
In the early days of my sobriety, I met "Victor and "Marie." They shared their story with me. They told me how, through the love of God, they had found the strength to put down the drink. Listening to their story of how God had guided them to sobriety gave me hope and the strength to keep going.
After some time, they sponsored me to a Christian retreat where I embraced the love that God had been trying to give me for years.
Nearly thirty-two years have passed and Victor is in a special care facility. Marie, elderly and in poor health, lives alone.
Last week, I visited Marie with the intention of cheering her up. As I walked down the hallway toward her apartment, I wondered what I would say to lift her spirits.
But, before I could get there, her door opened and Marie stepped out. Her face was alight with a radiant smile. From a lifetime of sharing God's love with those who were struggling, Marie's lamp was filled to the brim with the "oil" of God's love.
We sat together for an hour, reminiscing and laughing about old times. We shared a tear and a prayer for Victor.
As Marie stood in the doorway of her apartment, smiling and waving me on my way, the love of God filled my heart.
My lamp had been replenished and my light burned brighter by the simple act of trying to bring the love of God to Marie, who had lit my lamp many years ago.
"Good works is giving to the poor and the helpless, but divine works is showing them their worth to the One who matters." - - Criss Jami