Daily homily for Monday of the 25th week in Ordinary Time Cycle I
Theme: Parable of the lamp
By: Fr. Mike Lagrimas
St. Michael the Archangel Parish
Diocese of Novaliches
Homily for Monday September 20 2021
Monday – Week 25
September 20, 2021
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.”
After the Parable of the Sower, the Gospel today gives us the Parable of the Lamp. In the Parable of the Sower, the seed that is sown is the word of God. And the proof that the seed is properly received is the fruits. The absence of fruits makes anyone wonder whether there were seeds sown.
Similarly, the lighting of the lamp can be considered beneficial when there is light that can be seen. The absence of light makes the people think there is no lighted lamp in the house. So, when the lamp is lighted, but it is concealed or hidden, then people will naturally doubt if there is a lighted lamp at all. To claim that the lamp is lit, but no light comes out of the house is difficult to believe.
That is why Jesus says that it is ridiculous for a person to light a lamp and hide it underneath the bed. Such is an exercise of futility and irrationality. Any person in his right mind lights a lamp and puts it on a stand so that the entire house will be illuminated.
In the Gospel of Matthew, the light being referred to is the good works of a person: “Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (5:16). They are to be done, not for show, but to inspire and edify people, with the ultimate purpose of glorifying the heavenly Father. This may also refer to the God-given talents and gifts. They are meant to be developed and shared to the community.
But in the Gospel today, St. Luke is talking about the nature of light – that it always radiates and shines forth. So, it cannot be hidden for long. In this sense, what is being referred to here is the word of God. Just as in the Parable of the Sower, the seeds will ultimately bear abundant fruits, so also in the Parable of the Lamp, the light will still come out, even if the lamp is concealed or hidden, “for there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.” Indeed, the word of God will always prevail even under the most hostile circumstances. This is what God proclaimed through the prophet Isaiah: “So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me, achieving the end for which I sent it” (Is 55:11).
Hence, the Lord gives the warning: “Take care, then, how you hear.” For us who have received the word of God, who heard it, there is a serious need for us to examine the way we hear. If we have truly heard Jesus’ words (as in receiving the seed or being a lighted lamp), then this should be clearly shown by the obedience of love (like bearing fruit or giving light). If there is no obedience, no fruits and light that are manifest outside in our daily lives, then there is no reason to believe that we received the word of God.
In a way, it can be said that there is nothing hidden inside if there is nothing manifest outside. A person who claims to have received the word of God, but there are no fruits seen, no light comes out of him – no good works of love and obedience – is a big liar.
We have already received the word of God. This must be shown in the fruits of goodness and holiness in our life. This must be seen in the light of our Christian example that will guide and lead people to Christ and His kingdom.
Pope Benedict XVI gives us this challenge: “Dare to be glowing saints, in whose eyes and hearts the love of Christ beams and who thus bring light to the world.”
Fr. Mike Lagrimas
St. Michael the Archangel Parish
Diocese of Novaliches