Luke 8:16-18

Proverbs 3:27-34

Psalm 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5

Luke 8:16-18

Jesus said to the crowd:

“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel

or sets it under a bed;

rather, he places it on a lampstand

so that those who enter may see the light.

For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,

and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.

Take care, then, how you hear.

To anyone who has, more will be given,

and from the one who has not,

even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, give me more! I have received the gift of your grace and have set out to work in your vineyard. I bear the fruits of my labor. I ask that you accept them as my sacrifice united to that of your Son. Grant me an abundance of your grace so that I may bear more fruit for your Kingdom.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Light of Christ: Everything we have done and all that we do in our lives will be revealed. The wicked mistakenly think that their evil deeds will go unnoticed. Jesus corrects this view: “For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.” If our deeds are good, then we have no reason to fear. In fact, in our deeds and actions, we are called to be a light for the world. We are not the ultimate source of the light, for Jesus is the light that enlightens all men (John 1:9). At the same time when we walk in the light of Christ, we are called to share and communicate this light to others. Jesus also teaches that to those who have, more will be given. And so, when we receive Jesus and the Holy Spirit, when we immerse ourselves in divine wisdom, and when we let the light of Christ shine through us, even more will be given to us. Our knowledge of God will be even more profound; our love for God will be even deeper.

2. Two Ways of Life according to Proverbs: The First Reading is from the Book of Proverbs. The book is like a “treasury of wisdom for successful living, ... [that] aims at the formation of character by imparting values and encouraging virtues” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, 14). The beginning and foundation of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. “Since wisdom ultimately comes from God (2:6), one can hardly be called wise who fails to revere the Lord. Everyone is obliged to discern the lessons of life by use of reason and to conform to the order that God's wisdom has built into creation” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Proverbs, 14). Proverbs sees that human beings follow one of two ways: the righteous follow the way of wisdom and life; the senseless follow the way of foolishness and death.

3. The Call to Wisdom: Today’s First Reading (Proverbs 3:27-34) is taken from the first collection of Wisdom Discourses (Proverbs 1:8-9:18). The first chapters of Proverbs invite the reader to not consent to the enticements of sinners and to not walk with them or in their ways. Wisdom calls out in the streets of the city for men and women to listen to her words. If they receive her words, they will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. By heeding wisdom, they will understand righteousness and justice and follow a good path; they will be delivered from the way of evil. The one who listens to wisdom trusts in the Lord with all their heart, honors the Lord with their work, and does not despise the Lord’s discipline. Happy is the man who finds wisdom. Today’s First Reading tells us that the wise man is just: He gives to others their due and does not envy the wicked man who commits injustices. The reading also tells us that the wise man is humble and that they receive favor from God. The wise, the just, and the humble receive blessings from God, while the wicked bring down curses upon themselves.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I am your disciple. Teach me to see all things from a divine perspective and to contemplate all things in the light of eternity. Help me to know what is lasting and of true value and to relativize what is passing and temporal.

Living the Word of God: Am I listening, in my daily work, to the call of wisdom? Do I trust in the Lord with all my heart? Do I honor the Lord with my work? Do I despise the Lord’s discipline and testing? What can I do better?