Articles

Thursday January 30

Thursday of 3rd Week of Ordinary Time

LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL

Introduction

We hear David thank God for giving stability to his kingdom; he prays that God’s blessings may come down on the royal house.
In the Gospel, the parable presents Jesus’ message as a lamp that cannot be hidden; it will blaze brightly in the end time. We must give a generous response to his message of light.

Opening Prayer

Lord, our God,
we can perceive the brightness
of the message of Jesus, your Son,
only in the shade.
Make our faith grow, give us trust,
that what we now see
in obscurity and mystery
may grow clearer in our minds
and more evident in our actions.
And never allow us to obscure or hide
the kindly light
of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

1st Reading: 2 S 7:18-19, 24-29

After Nathan had spoken to King David, the king went in, sat before Yahweh and said, “Who am I, O Yahweh God, and who is my family that you have brought me so far?  Yet this was not enough for you, O Yahweh God, for you have also spoken of your servant’s house for a long time to come. Is this the way men act, O Yahweh God? You have set apart your people Israel to become your people forever; and you, Yahweh, have become their God. Now, O Yahweh God, keep forever the promise you made and have now revealed to me regarding myself and my family, that your name may be honored forever and people may say, ‘Yahweh of Hosts is God over Israel.’ The house of your servant David will be secure before you because you, O Yahweh of Hosts, God of Israel, have made it known to your servant and have said to him: ‘Your family will last forever.’ This is why I have dared to address this prayer to you. So now, O Yahweh God, since you are the faithful God, and have promised me this good thing, please bless my descendants, that they may continue forever before you. For you, O Yahweh God, have spoken and, with your blessing, my family shall be blessed forever.”

Responsorial Psalm 132:1-2, 3-5, 11-12, 13-14

R. The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father
Lord, remember David
and all his self-denial.
He swore an oath to the Lord,
he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
R. The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father
“I will not enter my house
or go to my bed,
I will allow no sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
till I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”
R. The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father
The Lord swore an oath to David,
a sure oath he will not revoke:
“One of your own descendants
I will place on your throne.
If your sons keep my covenant
and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons will sit
on your throne for ever and ever.”
R. The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father
For the Lord has chosen Zion,
he has desired it for his dwelling, saying,
“This is my resting place for ever and ever;
here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.
R. The Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father.

Verse before the Gospel: Ps 119:105

A lamp to my feet is your word
A light to my path

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

It is difficult not to become angry with David in reading the Books of Samuel. But there are also those moments that melt the heart, and all is forgiven. Today’s passage is one of those moments. Following upon the promises made to David and his descendants, the king now turns to his God in grateful prayer.
In the first place, the king is thankful for the kindness Yahweh has showered upon him, the son of a rural sheep farmer. He has been singled out for kingship and protected by God through a number of harrowing experiences. But more than that, he has now learned that he is to sire a dynasty that will last forever. This carries David well beyond his fondest dreams.
“Who am I, O Lord God?” In posing the question at the start of his prayer, David realizes that he can make no claims on God. Everything has been gift, pure gift. Not only has he been personally favored, but the house of David as well. He can only pray for God’s continued blessing on his house that future descendants will remain cognizant of such goodness.
None of us can make any claims on God, but, as the Gospel today reminds us, we can and should share what we have received. The ancients said, “Good is self-diffusive.” Goodness wants to go out and touch others. Unfortunately, we tend to become too self- absorbed. Let the good and positive features of our faith have greater play.
Let’s not keep our candle under a bed or basket, but rather put it on a lampstand. There is no better way to express our gratitude.

Points to Ponder

David’s gratitude
Jesus and the line of David
The kingdom to last forever

Intercessions

– Lord, let the light of our love shine when we are more understanding and friendlier to one another and when we share more readily with those in need, we pray:
– Lord, let the light of our joy shine on earth when we show more sympathy and affection to one another, when we are faithful to our friendships and concerned about our communities, we pray:
– Lord, let the light of our faith shine on earth when we, your sons and daughters, live as children of light before you and in the sight of people, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord God, Father of light,
the presence of Jesus, your Son
will be hidden in these simple signs
of bread and wine,
yet we ask you to let his Spirit of light
shine on us and on our world,
that we may understand ourselves
and what you call us to be and do,
and that we may see
how you take us by the hand,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God,
you alone are light without shadows
and we are grateful
that you do not blind us with its brightness
but let it shine in the humanity
of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Let it also shine in our humanity,
in our concern for one another,
in our goodness and generosity of heart,
in our timid attempts to follow your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever.

Blessing

Let your light shine! Or rather, let the light of Christ shine in you, for we are only lights of faith to the extent that we reflect the light of Christ’s message and life. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.