Daily Reflection – 1/25/2024
Sacred Scripture
He said to them, “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.”( Mark 4:21-25)
Reflection
There is so much to be done. There are so many people to be touched. There are so many illnesses that need to be healed. Ther are so many divisions that need mending.
You know the list as well as I do. Our imperfect world seems to be showing its cracks more visibly. There is a myriad of responses that each of us could use, They range from “I’m just one person,” to “Let me do as much as I can.”
The only response we can’t have is “Let the other person do it.”
Why is that?
The gift of our lives is just that. A gift from God. As it is with any gift, it should be shared. Today’s scripture reminds us that the gift of our lives is not just for ourselves. We are called to be a gift for others and a gift that leads others closer to God. That alone should be a gift to you as well. Every single one of us is important to God and every single one of us is part of God’s plan.
To know that plan is to open ourselves to God. We begin by acknowledging and thanking Him for the gift of our life. Holding on to the reality of that gift will lead us to using it.
Most likely many of the ways we strive to do this may seem insignificant to us. However, small rays of sunshine still light up the world. We need to let these gifts that God gave us shine so brightly that all those we meet feel the worth of our love and the love of God.
The Word of God confirms our need to share a light because just by hearing God’s Word we have a light within us. We have all heard that we are loved and saved by Jesus, and we are called to spread this message to everyone we meet, especially those who are stuck in a dark time. We need to be the light in their lives giving them the courage and strength to let their own lights shine brightly. Just as Jesus’ words turned the darkness to light and filled our lives and our world with light and hope. We too use our gifts to bring light to others.
Jesus lit the lamp of our minds and hearts with his holy word and he doesn’t want us to place it under a bushel basket or a bed but on a lamp stand. He doesn’t want us to keep what he teaches us secret but to make it visible, to bring it to the light of day so that others might similarly be illuminated. . . so that their lives might be brighter.
He also reminds us that the more we give, the more we’ll receive it, and if we don’t pass His light on to others, we’re at risk of losing it. Any teacher will tell you that if you really want to learn something, try to teach it to others. The measure with which we measure is measured back to us.
When we enkindle the flame of Christ in our hearts, the effect is that Christ shines forth through us for others to see. Jesus says that “No one who lights a lamp conceals it…” In other words, if you are not shining with the light of Christ, it’s not because you are hiding Him, it’s because you have yet to accept your importance to Him.
We are urged to pause and think about the precious light that has been entrusted to us by our Creator; we need be intent and aware of opportunities to let that light shine. We do that as we pray for others (maybe sometimes even asking if they would like us to pray for them), we do that as we write to others words of recognition and support, we do that as we call someone just to say they are in our thoughts, we do that as we serve others in the power of the Spirit and in honor of our Lord.
We can never forget to be the person who is a lamp for God. You and I are being used by Him. He wants to use you today, right now. It may not be how you want to be used or where you want to be used, but God has a plan for your life and the light you bring into the room.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord Jesus, you guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill my heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from the blindness of sin, ignorance, and deception that I may see your ways clearly and understand your will for my life. May I radiate your light and truth to others in word and deed.”
Daily Note
We are called to be carriers of light to enlighten as well as to illuminate. When we read and listen to the Word of God, we, whether knowingly or not, allow God’s Word to take root in our lives. His Word transforms us from the inside out, and then pushes us outward to share His Word with others. Our faith in God is the only thing in the world that increases internally the more we give it others. This is, perhaps, what Jesus means when He says, “To the one who has, more will be given.” The more we share our faith, the greater it grows within us.
