25th Week in Ordinary Time

Prov 3,27-34/Psa 15,2-3.3-4.5/Luke 8,16-18

First Reading   Proverbs 3:27-34

The Lord blesses the home of the virtuous

My son, do not refuse a kindness to anyone who begs it,

    if it is in your power to perform it.

Do not say to your neighbour, ‘Go away! Come another time!

    I will give it you tomorrow’, if you can do it now.

Do not plot harm against your neighbour

    as he lives unsuspecting next door.

Do not pick a groundless quarrel with a man

    who has done you no harm.

Do not emulate the man of violence,

    never model your conduct on his;

for the wilful wrong-doer is abhorrent to the Lord,

    who confides only in honest men.

The Lord’s curse lies on the house of the wicked,

    but he blesses the home of the virtuous.

He mocks those who mock,

    but accords his favour to the humble.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 14(15):2-5

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

Lord, who shall dwell on your holy mountain?

He who walks without fault;

he who acts with justice

and speaks the truth from his heart;

he who does not slander with his tongue.

He who does no wrong to his brother,

who casts no slur on his neighbour,

who holds the godless in disdain,

but honours those who fear the Lord.

 

He who keeps his pledge, come what may;

who takes no interest on a loan

and accepts no bribes against the innocent.

Such a man will stand firm for ever.

Gospel Acclamation: James1:18

Alleluia, alleluia!

By his own choice the Father made us his children

by the message of the truth,

so that we should be a sort of first-fruits

of all that he created.

Alleluia!

Gospel    Luke 8:16-18

Anyone who has will be given more

Jesus said to the crowds:

‘No one lights a lamp to cover it with a bowl or to put it under a bed. No, he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in. For nothing is hidden but it will be made clear, nothing secret but it will be known and brought to light. So take care how you hear; for anyone who has will be given more; from anyone who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.’

Reflection

Both the First Reading and the Gospel present wise sayings that are disjointed sayings put together for the purpose of sapiential instruction. The author of the Book of Proverbs puts together in the First Reading a series of wise sayings that may be classified as sayings about relationship with others. Despite their disjointed character, it is possible to group them together for didactical purposes. The first group of wise sayings focuses on not withholding good from those who deserve it. If we need to do something good to a neighbour, there is no need delaying it because the person who gives promptly gives twice. The second group of sayings concerns accusing a neighbour falsely or plotting against the neighbour or again harming him/her. Such behaviour is against the ninth commandment and must be avoided. The third category of sayings addresses the envy of a violent person. God says there should be no envy of the violent person because such a person is hated by God. The righteous enjoys God’s fellowship so we should strive for righteousness and not violence. The fourth category of proverbs speaks of the wise person. They are honoured by God because of their wisdom. On the contrary, fools are shamed.

We can add to what is said in the First Reading the sayings of Jesus in the Gospel Reading because they fall in the same category of the sayings of the wise. Jesus focuses on the function of a lamp as a symbol for the manner that Christians are to live in the world. In a world where the lamp is no more in common use and streetlights dot our towns and cities, it may be difficult to appreciate the saying of Jesus in this passage. The lamp was an important source of light for generations without electricity. A single lamp was used to light up a compound and all in the house benefited from it.

Jesus exhorts the Christian to be like a lamp that brightens the environment where he is found. The Christian is the just person the Psalmist calls to live in the presence of the Lord. He is the one who walks without fault; acts with justice and speaks the truth from his heart. The good life of the Christian should have a positive impact on all around so that they may benefit from his/her presence. This calls for transparent and good actions on the part of the Christian. He/she cannot shed this responsibility because of selfishness. The consciousness that nothing under the sun can remain hidden should urge the Christian to do all things in broad daylight. It is in this way that his/her actions would shine forth for others to see. When he/she stands out as an example for others to follow, then he/she can be said to be a lamp on a lamp-stand.