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Contemplating today's Gospel

Today's Gospel + homily (in 300 words)

1st Reading (Ezra 1:1-6): In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord inspired King Cyrus of Persia to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom, both by word of mouth and in writing: «Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia: ‘All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord, the God of heaven, has given to me, and he has also charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Therefore, whoever among you belongs to any part of his people, let him go up, and may his God be with him! Let everyone who has survived, in whatever place he may have dwelt, be assisted by the people of that place with silver, gold, goods, and cattle, together with free-will offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem’».

Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and Levites –everyone, that is, whom God had inspired to do so– prepared to go up to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors gave them help in every way, with silver, gold, goods, and cattle, and with many precious gifts besides all their free-will offerings.
Responsorial Psalm: 125
R/. The Lord has done marvels for us.
When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing.

Then they said among the nations, «The Lord has done great things for them». The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.

Restore our fortunes, o Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.
Versicle before the Gospel (Mt 5:16): Alleluia. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. Alleluia.
Gospel text (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."

“He places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light”

Fr. Joaquim FONT i Gassol (Igualada, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, a Gospel as brief as this one, is all the same rich in themes appealing to our attention. In the first place, “to give light”: everything is clear in God's eyes! Second great theme: Graces link together, if we are faithful to one, we receive one blessing after another: “Gratia pro Gratia” (Jn 1:16). And last, human language for divine and imperishable things.

God's Light for those joining the Church! Christian mothers, whispering in their children's ear, have been teaching them for centuries, expressive words, but most of all, they have been doing it with the ‘light’ of their good examples. They have also sown the typical popular and evangelic wisdom, compressed in many proverbs, as full of wisdom as of faith. One of these sayings is this: “Throw some light on, not smoke.” St. Matthew tells us: “…It gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt 5:15-16).

Examining our conscience at dusk can be compared to the shopkeeper who counts up to check the fruit of his work. He does not start by asking: —How much have I lost today? He rather wonders: —How much money did I make today? And immediately after, he may add: —How can I make more tomorrow, what can I do to improve? To finalize our working day we may end it with a thanksgiving prayer and, in contrast, with an act of love and regret. —I regret not having loved more and hope to start tomorrow a new day to please Our Lord, who always sees me, comes with me and loves me so much. —I want to provide more light and lessen the smoke from the fire of my love.

In family evenings, parents and grandparents have forged —and still do— the personality and compassion of today's children and tomorrow's men. It is worth it! It is urgent! The Virgin Mary, Morning Star, Virgin of Dawn preceding the Light of the Sun-Jesus, guides us and gives us her hand. “O Happy Virgin! It is impossible that he whom you have looked at, gets lost” (St. Anselm).

Thoughts on Today's Gospel

  • "And you, Christ, our gentle savior, in your kindness light our lamps so that they shine for ever in your temple and lighten our darkness and dispel the shadows of the world." (Saint Columbanus, abbot)

  • "A candle can only give light if it lets itself be consumed by the flame. It would remain useless if its wax failed to nourish the fire. Allow Christ to burn in you, even at the cost of sacrifice and renunciation." (Benedict XVI)

  • "There is an organic connection between our spiritual life and the dogmas. Dogmas are lights along the path of faith; they illuminate it and make it secure. Conversely, if our life is upright, our intellect and heart will be open to welcome the light shed by the dogmas of faith." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 89)