Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 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.”
Everything comes to light
1) On the lampstand. Don’t let the concern about what people might say hide the gifts that God has given you. You have much to offer. You are light, as you were reminded in the Sacrament of Baptism. I understand that this world can daunt or intimidate you, for fear of being excluded or shamed. But if you can do so much good, you can put yourself out for so many people or things, don’t hide, show yourself the way you are and reveal that gift that God gave you. By giving light, others will surely be able to see blemishes in you. Don’t be afraid, we all have them, but remember that the light is stronger than any blemish. You can’t imagine how many blemishes I have! And many people notice them! But, nevertheless, here I am, encouraging you to put yourself on the line because you have so much to give that even your own blemishes will disappear in time.
2) The measure. Over time I have learned that life is not an exact science. Not everything is black and white, there are also grays. Life has taught me, and is still teaching me, that I cannot be so hard, because rigidity kills others and kills you. In my first years as a priest, I thought I knew it all. I even considered myself a puritan who was a step above, and some people even made me believe so. Until I came to realize that I was also a sinner, I was weak, clumsy and had many limitations. The funny thing was that those who helped me to overcome this were the people I thought were sinners who I had considered one step below me. I understood that the measure of life is not an exact science. It’s all about of living, walking together, helping one another. No one is more or less than anyone else. I’ve understood that I struggle in this life as a priest, you as a married man, you as a single woman, and so on. I’ve understood that I cannot measure anyone or measure myself in anything because the only measure there is to live life and do the best that one can do. To do things for the greater glory of God.
3) It will be given to you. Make the most of that gift you have. Give yourself to others, do that which makes you happy. Don’t stop fighting for what is good for you. You have so much life in you, and you are throwing it away in bed, watching TV. Don’t let your life be spent on Netflix or social media. Do something for yourself and for others. Come on! Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
