Thursday, January 29, 2004
3rd Week in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: 2 S 7:18-19, 24-29
Gospel: Mk 4:21-25

Jesus also said to them, "When the light comes, is it to be put under a tub or a bed? Surely it is put on a lampstand. Whatever is hidden will be disclosed, and whatever is kept secret will be brought to light. Listen then, if you have ears!"
And he also said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear. In the measure you give, so shall you receive and still more will be given to you. For to the one who produces something, more will be given, and from him who does not produce anything, even what he has will be taken away from him."

Commentary

EVERY language has its own homespun wisdom, and this is often best seen in its proverbs. In Irish, for example, "A friend's eye is a good mirror." "Don't break your shin on a stool that isn't in your way." "A wild goose never laid a tame egg." "Winter comes fast on the lazy." "The herb that can't be got is the one that brings relief." "The person who brings a story to you will take two away." "The man who was dividing Ireland didn't leave himself last." "No man ever wore a cravat as nice as his own child's arm around his neck." "He that is bad at giving a lodging is good at showing the road." "A person often ties a knot with his tongue that can't be loosened with his teeth." "When you go forth to find a wife, leave your eyes at home and take your two ears with you." "It's no delay to stop and edge the tool." "Time and patience will bring the snail to Jerusalem." And so on and on endlessly!

Jesus quoted two proverbs from his own language in this passage, "No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub," and "The measure you give is the measure you get." Don't ask me to add a commentary to them: proverbs are well able to speak for themselves!

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