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.”
Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.Meditatio (Reflecting)
Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.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.
Oratio (Responding)
Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.This parable comes directly after the parable of the sower, and it is meant to be a teaching moment for the disciples. Upon reading comentaries by Sts. Jerome and Chrysostom, it is clear that Jesus is telling His disciples that the truth of His life and His teachings are to be shared with the whole world, not hidden away. Hiding the light of truth away (like under a basket), makes it unclear to those around it, and impossible to understand. But placing the light up high (on a lampstand), allows all to see it clearly, to be affected by it, and come to understand what the light of that truth means to them and the whole world.
This message also speaks to us today. The truth is under more assult today than at any time in the history of the world. So we must be willing to hear what God has to tell us. If we are closed off, then we need to be more open to His nudges. If we are already open to His teachings, then we need to pay closer attention, and take notes, so that we too, can share His message with others. Being open is not always simple though, we must ask for God’s grace to open our ears, and to expand our understanding, and to be humble and listen for what he has to tell us today.
Ask Him today to increase your faith and understanding, but be ready for an amazing grace to pour out upon you. But at the end of the day, the light of Christ and His message must be proclaimed to all the nations with courage and vigor, and you are part of that mission. And when we succeed at this, then the prohesy will come true, and the Jord will finally come and render His perfect justice, and what an amazing day that will be, Maranatha Lord Jesus.
Contemplatio (Contemplating)
Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.Resolutio (Resolving)
Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.Oh lord help increase my faith, and expand my understanding so that I can come to know you better, and to help proclaim your word to all the world.