READINGS:
1 R : 2 SAM 7 : 18 - 19, 24 - 29.
Ps 131 : 1 - 2, 3 - 5, 11, 12, 13 - 14.
Gos : MK 4 : 21 - 25.
EVEN THOUGH THE GOSPEL HAS ONLY FIVE VERSES THERE AR THREE POWERFUL MESSAGES:
1. THE LIGHT HAS TO BE KEPT ON THE LAMP STAND.
WHAT DOES IT IMPLY?
TRADITIONALLY LIGHT IS ASSOCIATED WITH FAITH; REMEMBER THE LIGHTED CANDLE FOR BAPTISM, FIRST COMMUNION......
THEREFORE IT FOLLOWS THAT FAITH CANNOT BE KEPT HIDDEN AS MUCH AS LIGHT CANNOT BE KEPT UNDER THE BUSHEL.
CATHOLICS, MANY A TIME ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR HUMAN RESPECT........ ( DAKSHEN ).
WHEN JESUS SAID FIRST THAT WHATEVER HIDDEN WILL BE REVEALED IT WAS DEFINITELY ABOUT HIS TEACHINGS.
THE DISCIPLES IN SPITE OF PERSECUTIONS AND IMMENSE PRESSURE NOT TO PREACH BOLDLY PROCLAIMED CHRIST AND THEIR FAITH IN RESURRECTION.
DO I EXPRESS MY FAITH ONLY WHEN IT IS SAFE FROM ALL SIDES TO EXPRESS IT. LIKE FOR EXAMPLE ONLY IN THE CHURCH ?
WHY WE ARE AFRAID TO ALLOW FAITH TO SHINE IN OUR BUSINESS DECISIONS, WHEN THERE IS POSSIBILITY OF RIDICULE OR EVEN VEILED CRITICISM ?
DON'T KEEP YOUR FAITH HIDDEN.
2. THE MEASURE OF WHAT WE RECEIVE IS SET BY OURSELVES ; NOT BY GOD. THE MEASURE YOU GIVE TO OTHERS ..........
3. EVERYONE TODAY WANTS MORE.IN ECONOMICS IT IS KNOWN AS RATIONAL BEHAVIOR.
JESUS SAYS, ONE WHO HAS MORE , MORE WILL BE GIVEN. IMPLICATION IS THAT IF U HAVE MORE FAITH MORE WILL BE GIVEN; YOU HAVE HAPPINESS..... MORE.. LOVE.... MORE PEACE....... MORE ( REMEMBER THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS IN ST. MATHEW ) SIMPLE PRINCIPLE : HIGHER THE DEPOSITS ..... MORE WILL BE THE INTEREST !
ISN'T IT ?
IN THE FIRST READING DAVID ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HIS GREATNESS SPRINGS FROM GOD'S BLESSING.
HAVE I DEVELOPED THE SAME HUMILITY IN LIFE ?
