To anyone who has, more will be given
REFLECTIONS TODAY
This saying can create adverse reactions, if taken out of context. It should be understood in the context of Jesus’ teaching on listening to the Word of God.
First, Jesus teaches his listeners as to what happens when they are attentive to his words. They cannot but share what they have really learned from him. The Word of God is like a lighted lamp that is put on a lampstand, visible to everyone who comes into the house. The Word of God cannot be hidden. It must be revealed and brought to light. That is the nature of the Word of God.
The more we learn from God, the more we are expected to radiate our learnings. As we become wiser, more responsibilities will be given us.
To those who are not entrusted with any responsibility in the Church and in the world, examine yourselves. Do not expect to receive more if you have not shared enough.
FIRST READING • Ezr 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.
Gospel • 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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.