Lectionary: 449
Reading 1
prv 3:27-34
Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim
when it is in your power to do it for him.
Say not to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give,” when you can give at once.
Plot no evil against your neighbor,
against one who lives at peace with you.
Quarrel not with a man without cause,
with one who has done you no harm.
Envy not the lawless man
and choose none of his ways:
To the LORD the perverse one is an abomination,
but with the upright is his friendship.
The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
but the dwelling of the just he blesses;
When dealing with the arrogant, he is stern,
but to the humble he shows kindness.
Responsorial Psalm
ps 15:2-3a, 3-bc-4ab, 5
R. (1) The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. The just one shall live on your holy mountain, O Lord.
Gospel
lk 8:16-18
Jesus said to the crowd:
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away.”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: A LAMP TO THEIR FEET
"No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel basket or under a bed; he puts it on a lampstand so that whoever comes in can see it." –Luke 8:16
I'm sitting before the Blessed Sacrament reposed in the tabernacle. This church is not my parish. I didn't know where the tabernacle was located. So I looked for the burning light inside the sanctuary lamp. Once my eyes located the lamp, I knew where Jesus was. We are called to be like sanctuary lamps. When people see us, they can find Jesus. Like St. John the Baptizer, we can be "the lamp, set aflame and burning bright" (Jn 5:35).
The sanctuary light in this church is not bright at all. It's a rather dim light, in fact. However, the church sanctuary is in semi-darkness, and the light, though dim, is easily spotted by someone looking for it. Therefore, we must not be discouraged if we feel we are not exactly shining stars compared to other believers. Some Christians shine more brightly than others (see 1 Cor 15:41). "What of it? All that matters is that" our shining lives reflect the glory of God as best as possible (Phil 1:18).
People line a street or driveway with candle luminaries to point the way to a party. We must do the same for Jesus. We, His followers, "possess the light of life" (Jn 8:12). Nations can find the Lord by the light of Jesus shining through us (Is 60:1). "Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light" (Eph 5:14). Then let your light shine publicly for the glory of God.
PRAYER: Father, may Your light shine in me to the world so that people may see goodness in my acts and praise You (Mt 5:16).
PROMISE: "To the Lord the perverse man is an abomination, but with the upright is His friendship." –Prv 3:32
PRAISE: When the snowstorm hit, Carol was a witness to all who saw her walking to Church as usual, despite inclement weather.
Be an inspiration, kindly Share.
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