29-Jan-15

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:
Prior to the coming of Jesus, the love of God was obscured by the emphasis placed on strict obedience to the Mosaic law.
With Jesus' arrival on the scene that "which was hidden" was made visible through his love, forgiveness and healing.
Having been made aware of God's love, the "light" now resides within each of us. Jesus tells us not to hide the love of God within ourselves. Let it shine forth for all to see, so all may be drawn to Him.
The measure with which we spread the love of God through our forgiveness of others, nonjudgmental attitude and generosity will determine how much more of God's love we will receive.
For the one who has will be given more, but the one who does not embrace and spread the love of God, will lose what little they may possess. Anyone who has ears, says the Lord, ought to hear.
I see the love and the light of God being spread most clearly by those whom we serve for Christ. In the face of tremendous hardship, the poor put their trust in God.
Jesus' image jumps off their walls in the form of a picture of the Last Supper or the Blessed Mother. Even though they reach out to My Brother's Keeper for help, still in their hallway is the fifty gallon drum which they pack with nonperishables for eventual shipment to poorer relatives in their native land.
I witness a poor grandmother sleeping on the floor because she gave her bed away to a young mother and newborn infant.
And, in those whom we serve, I see the truth of Christ's words. As they live their faith, their faith increases and they become a "light"for me.