Thursday, January 29, 2015

In the measure you give, so shall you receive and still more will be given to you.



Gospel: Mk 4:21-25
     Jesus also said to them, “When the light comes, is it to be put under a tub or a bed? Surely it is put on a lamp stand. Whatever is hidden will be disclosed, and whatever is kept secret will be brought to light. Listen then, if you have ears!” And he also said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear.

  In the measure you give, so shall you receive and still more will be given to you. For to the one who produces something, more will be given, and from him who does not produce anything, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

     To hear and to listen are two different things. We can hear people talk, we can hear all kinds of sounds and noises, but to listen is something else. When someone talks to us but does not interest us we just hear that person talk, but we do not listen to him. In the Gospel Jesus says, “Listen, those who have ears.” Conversion comes from listening to the Word of God. We cannot follow Jesus much less understand his teachings unless we listen to everything he tells us.

     There are two voices speaking to us every day, the voice of God and the voice of the devil. It is easier to listen to the voice of the devil because he tells us what we want to hear. He flatters and entices us with pleasure and comfort, and often invites us to do selfish acts. On the other hand, Jesus invites us to take the hard and narrow path. Our reward for doing so often comes after or much later.
     What is God telling us to do in the Gospel reading? Not to hide our Christianity, but to be proud to be Christians. To tell the truth of what is right and wrong even when we will be laughed at. Not to cheat and steal money when everybody around us is doing so. To be compassionate to the poor and the downtrodden. To forgive those who hurt us, etc. There are many ways to let our light shine so that men might praise God on account of our good works.

     We are not Christians for ourselves alone but for others. Every Christian has a mission – to bring people to Jesus Christ. Are you aware of your responsibilities as a Christian?

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