Jesus, help me to be as generous as you are.

 
Reading: Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” Mark 4:25.
 
Good morning, happy Thursday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
In today’s Gospel (Mark 4:21-25), Jesus continues his preaching by using metaphors.  He asks his disciples, “Is a lamp brought to be placed under a bushel basket or put under a bed?  Shouldn’t a lamp be placed on a lampstand so the light will fill the room?”  Jesus then says, “There is nothing hidden that will not be made visible.  And there is nothing secret that will not come to light.”
 
Jesus tells his listeners, “Anyone who has ears ought to hear.”  Then he adds, “Take care what you hear.”  Jesus also warns his disciples, “The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.  And still more will be given to you.  To those who have more, more will be given them.  And for the one who has not, what s/he has will be taken away.”
 
Jesus uses the image of a lamp and light to describe who the disciples are to be to the world.  They are to be light for the world.  Jesus also calls each of us to be light in our world.  Now take a moment and ask yourself, “How do I shed light in the world?”  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.  Our world is in need of sunshine and hope. Today I invite you to share some sunshine with the people you encounter and to notice the ways in which others share sunshine with you.
 
It is clear that in today’s Gospel reading we are told that good news is to be shared. Perhaps you might like to spend some moments in prayer, reflecting on your memories of someone who embodied good news without ever explicitly ‘preaching’ it.
 
Jesus' saying about ‘the measure you give' seems like a variation on ‘you only get as good as you give.' What Jesus means is that the person who seeks to gain some spiritual insight into what he is saying will have that insight increased by exposure to his parables, whereas whoever does not listen to Jesus will end up in spiritual ignorance. Also, the light about which Jesus speaks is not a searchlight to expose, shame or embarrass. When the light of Truth is let shine, all is understood and forgiven. I have no need to hide.
 
In listening, hearing, and following Jesus, I grow in familiarity with his voice and hear more as to what I have, more is added. I give thanks and I pray for those who have nothing, that they might take time with God who has such time for them.
 
Jesus, help me to be as generous as you are. I want to serve you beyond comfort and an easy life. I want to continue to give beyond moments of laziness and discouragement.
 
Blessings,
 
Luis+