Mass Readings and Meditations “The Word among Us” Thursday, 30 January 2014

Mass Readings and Meditations “The Word among Us” Thursday, 30 January 2014

Meditations: Mark 4: A Lamp under a Bushel Basket

21 He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. 23 Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. 25 For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”

3rd Week in Ordinary Time

To the one who has, more will be given. (Mark 4:25)

Many experts agree that exploring alternative energysources such as wind and solar power is very important for the world’s future. At the same time, the world still has vast untapped resources that can be used right now. For example, Brazil and Venezuela combined have the potential to produce over six hundred billion barrels of oil. And the United States could produce an estimated 2.3 trillion barrels. But these resources will remain unused unless we can find a safe way to bring them out from under the ground.

Jesus has some very important things to say about untapped resources as well, but he’s talking about the resources within us—our gifts and talents. Much like the earth’s resources, they were given to us for a reason: they were meant to be used and not kept “under a basket” (Mark 4:21). But there are a couple of remarkable differences between our resources and those found in nature. Oil will eventually run out, and there are some places where we shouldn’t go drilling to get it. But there’s no limit on how we can use our gifts. In fact, the more we use them, the more they grow. The more we give out, the more we have to give!

Some of us may not realize the awesome potential we have for building the kingdom of God. Or we may wonder if we are using our gifts to the fullest. If you need a little inspiration, think of those whose service to God has made a big difference in your life—not necessarily Mother Teresa, but your neighbors and friends who do so much with the skills they have. Your parish, small group, or Bible study wouldn’t be the same if they weren’t making their own unique contributions.

Today, let’s praise and thank the Lord for the gifts that these people are to us. Let’s also ask him how we can shine our lights a little more brightly today. God has called each of us to shine in different ways, and each light does something to scatter the darkness in the world. Joined together in Christ, we can become a glorious source of renewable, spiritual energy!

“Lord, you have given me so much. Help me to use all that I have to bring glory to you!” Amen!

2 Samuel 7: David’s Prayer

18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 19 And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God; you have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come. May this be instruction for the people,[a] O Lord God!

Footnotes:

a. 2 Samuel 7:19 Meaning of Heb uncertain

24 And you established your people Israel for yourself to be your people forever; and you, O Lord, became their God. 25 And now, O Lord God, as for the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, confirm it forever; do as you have promised. 26 Thus your name will be magnified forever in the saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel’; and the house of your servant David will be established before you. 27 For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house’; therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant; 29 now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you; for you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.”

Psalm 132: The Eternal Dwelling of God in Zion

A Song of Ascents.

1 O Lord, remember in David’s favor

    all the hardships he endured;

2 how he swore to the Lord

    and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,

3 “I will not enter my house

    or get into my bed;

4 I will not give sleep to my eyes

    or slumber to my eyelids,

5 until I find a place for the Lord,

    a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

11 The Lord swore to David a sure oath

    from which he will not turn back:

“One of the sons of your body

    I will set on your throne.

12 If your sons keep my covenant

    and my decrees that I shall teach them,

their sons also, forevermore,

    shall sit on your throne.”

13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;

    he has desired it for his habitation:

14 “This is my resting place forever;

    here I will reside, for I have desired it.

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