“Does anyone ever bring in a lamp and put it under a bowl or under the bed? Doesn't he put it on the lamp-stand? ” (Mk 4:21)

“Does anyone ever bring in a lamp and put it under a bowl or under the bed? Doesn't he put it on the lamp-stand? ” (Mk 4:21)   

  

Today’s Passages: Mk 4:21-25; Heb 10:19-25

Meditation: Today’s meditation verse invites us to be aware of the mission and vocation of our Christian life. It is clearly and powerfully communicated through an allegory of a lamp and lamp-stand. So, we see first the purpose of those objects used in this allegory. The very nature of lamp is to shine and give light to the adjacent area and people. The purpose of lamp-stand is to carry the lamp on higher level that the light may be useful for wider circle.

“Does anyone ever bring in a lamp and put it under a bowl or under the bed? Doesn't he put it on the lamp-stand? ” (Mk 4:21) It is something like an exclamation. It seems to mean that it is foolish or useless to keep the lamp under a bowl or bed. Instead, one should keep it on the lamp-stand. It is, then, very clear to everyone without much interpretation. Yes, indeed! However, Jesus wants to say something more to us, for our life today.

It becomes clearer in the light of the last verse where we read, “The person who has something will be given more, and the person who has nothing will have taken away from him even the little he has.” (Mk 4:25) Jesus wants to say, then, that each one’s life is a gratuitous gift and it must be shared with others. There is a saying, “Your talent God’s gift to you; what you do with it your gift back to God.” When we share these gifts with others God will continue to bless us abundantly.

The second reading rightly reminds us the same, “Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to be good.” (Heb 10:24) Here we find the meaning of the allegory of the lamp and the lamp-stand in our Christian life. Instead, if we hide and cover our talents, our life will be of no use. John the Baptist says, “The axe is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Mt 3:10) Let our life be a lamp to our brethren!

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. We acknowledge that our life is only your gratuitous gift. Unless and until this gift is shared, it remains like the grain kept in the barn unable to produce fruits. Like the lamp placed on the lamp-stand, let our life also be offered for others. We ask for this grace through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Greetings: God is with you! Have a blissful Thursday!