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.”
Excesses dim your light
1. Depression. This comes from dwelling too much on the past. It happens when you keep revisiting your mistakes and feeling guilty about them, or when you long for happier times that are now gone and mourn their absence. This mindset causes you to lose your spark and prevents you from shining in front of others. When you fall into this pattern, you lose sight of the possibilities for today and the plans God has for you. Keep nourishing your life with the present and focus on your future goals. Remember, the past is just that—the past. Let it enrich your experiences, but don’t let your life revolve around guilt or endless sadness.
2. Stress. This is the result of being excessively focused on the present. It happens when you’re constantly worried about getting everything done, trying to cram countless tasks into a single day. Your time to simply be is overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly do. Sometimes, we even mistake serving others for endlessly giving without taking a break, which leads to burnout. You end up rushing through your day instead of moving at a comfortable pace, your mind racing from one task and problem to the next. This robs you of your inner peace, and peace is like the oil that helps your light shine more brightly.
3. Anxiety. This also dims your light, as it comes from focusing too much on the future. Your thoughts are constantly occupied with what could happen. Fear creeps in because you’re uncertain whether things will work out as you hope. You start imagining all sorts of scenarios, and your mind fills with worries about things that haven’t even happened. This makes you neglect the people around you and stops you from enjoying life. Don’t let these three excesses control your life. Take Mother Teresa’s advice: “I will live my life as if it were my first day, my last day, and my only day.” You have so much light to offer today—I truly believe so.
Always remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
