A reflection from Mark 4, 21-25
The Gospel of Mark is
a text motivator, because the community where this gospel was born (Rome)
was being chased and the trend was to close itself for
fear. The light that lit it should be carried forward so that others also could experience. That is, the message of
salvation that came to them through
the testimony of the apostles could
not stay closed in small group; should be
reported, even if that to it should be paid with one’s own life. This text
allows a parallel with the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 5, 16), in which Jesus calls his
disciples of light: “That your light shine
before people that they may see the good works that you
do and praise your Father who is in heaven.” But the disciples do
not have their own light. They rely on Jesus as
the moon depends on sunlight
to illuminate.
A lighted lamp cannot
stay hidden. The same happens with the life
of those who encountered with Christ and allowed themselves to be illuminated by Christ. This experience does not mean monopoly or privilege, but
the strategy of a loving God who “serves
of up a few to
more easily reach the others” (A. T. Queiruga). Therefore,
the message of salvation that Jesus brought is meant
for all and in somehow,
many aspects of this message are already experienced by people of different cultures and religions. It is quite
illustrative the criticism that
Jesus makes to his disciples
who wanted to maintain the monopoly on
his person, preventing someone from acting in the name of Jesus
only because he didn’t belong to the group of the disciples. The disciples
had not understood that the mission of being light also means to allow the
brilliance of others.
Jesus calls us to be light
from his own light. We must allow ourselves to be illuminate in other to be us able to illuminate.
St. John Calabria describes this experience with the expressions reservoirs and channels: “reservoirs for us and channels for the others.” Jesus also calls our
attention about the listening,
because what we hear and how we hear will
determine the way
we should follow. Sometimes we draw our conclusions only from what we have heard others say. Thus, this has been
the measure of our response to
the appeals of God. Poor response! But we cannot follow Jesus superficially. Our response must come from the experience of encounter with Jesus and to be renewed continually. The
gift of faith in us had its
initial moment – “child moment”
- but cannot
remain childish all the time;
must be matured and bear good fruit. The measure of our faith is in the ability
to produce fruit. Through good
fruit, our faith may shine,
but without overshadowing the faith of others.
Pe. Degaaxé
Brother Cipriano
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