Reflection for January 29 Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 4:21-25

Gospel: Mark 4:21-25

Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.

He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

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Reflection:

Do we take time to share what we know about God? Do we truly live the faith that He Himself has entrusted to us? Our knowledge of God and our faith in Him are not meant to remain hidden or kept only for ourselves.

They grow, deepen, and blossom when we humbly learn to share them. In fact, we ourselves are transformed when we care enough to witness to what we believe. Yet we must ask: have we really thought of sharing not just ideas about God, but God Himself?

Oftentimes, we hesitate to share God because many people today are no longer centered on Him. The world teaches us to focus on how to earn a living, on material success, and on mere survival.

Little by little, we can forget what truly gives life meaning. But what kind of people are we forming—and what kind of hearts are we shaping—if we allow ourselves and others to become more focused on this world than on God?

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of a lamp that must not be hidden under a bed, for then it becomes useless. Instead, it is placed on a lampstand so that it may give light, guide those in darkness, and bring wisdom and enlightenment to all who see it.

Our knowledge of God and our faith are the lamps of our lives. They are not meant to be kept in silence or fear. We are called to live them and to share them so that others, too, may walk in the light. Sadly, many people do not come to know God because many of us fail to share and live what we already know about Him.

Therefore, let us bring the lighted lamp of Jesus into our homes, into our friends, and into every place where we are sent. Let us do this not with pride, but with humility, remembering that the light we carry is not our own—it is Christ’s light shining through us.

And so we ask ourselves today: if Christ has already placed His light in our hands, will we finally let it shine for others, or will we continue to keep it hidden? —Marino J. Dasmarinas