Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 27th January
Message from Fr Paul for Thursday, 27th January 2022
Yesterday was a more relaxing day with some breathing space, so I was able to write this daily message without being under undue pressure. There are times when it’s not easy trying to fit together all the pieces that make up the daily jigsaw puzzle that is monastic life in an English monastery. There are days when there are too many pieces to fit into the picture. I sometimes ask if God meant it to be like this, not that I’m complaining! I’d rather be busy than have time on my hands. I do miss my long walks with Toby, but they will return in due course, when Spring is at its best.
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Our Gospel passage today continues on from the Parable of the Sower and its explanation by Jesus to the disciples, so we can presume that it’s one the parables that Jesus used when preaching on that occasion, sitting in the boat, just offshore not far from Capernaum. This time there will be no explanation following. It’s more than likely that Jesus used these parables many times in different places and on different occasions. We are reading Mark, (Mk 4: 21-25). This is what Jesus says.
“Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’
He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’”
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The Parable of the Sower was about listening to the word, assimilating it and living by it. In the Parable of the Lamp, Jesus is saying that those who have received the light of the Gospel should not hide it, but share it, allow it to be seen. Do not conceal the light, he is telling the crowd, but let it shine. Throughout the Bible, light is used as an object lesson for many things, such as truth, holiness, our life in Christ, the gospel message, and Jesus Himself. Again, the point is, Jesus does not want us to hide what he has done in our lives. The Parable of the Lamp tells us we have a serious, moral obligation. Since we have received the Gospel, we are to live it openly and share it with others through how we live and what we say. Those who have been transformed by the good news are to present that truth to others. The second point that Jesus makes is that the light reveals what is hidden and that is what we must do with the light that Christ has given us. There are two things we can reveal: the kingdom, which lies hidden from the eyes of the world, and sin, all that is evil, not because we set out to do that, but because the light naturally sheds a light on what lies hidden in darkness. Thirdly, we must pass on what we have received. It is meant for others, not just for ourselves. Not only that, but once you receive the light, you can’t help but want to receive more, always, however, to share with others, bringing them into the light, God’s light.
This, then, is our vocation as Christians and disciples of Jesus, to spread the light of the Gospel, the light of truth, of God and of his kingdom, wherever we might be and whatever we might be doing. Lord, may we always burn bright for you. Amen
