From: Mark 4:21-25

Parables of the Lamp and the Measure

[21] And He (Jesus) said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel,
or under a bed, and not on a stand? [22] For there is nothing hid, except to be
made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. [23] If any man
has ears to hear, let him hear.” [24] And He said to them, “Take heed what you
hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be
given you. [25] For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.”

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Commentary:

21. A “bushel” was a container used for measuring cereals and vegetables. It
held a little over eight liters (two gallons).

22. This parable contains a double teaching. Firstly, it says that Christ’s doctrine
should not be kept hidden; rather, it must be preached throughout the whole world.
We find the same idea elsewhere in the Gospels: “what you hear whispered, pro-
claim it upon the house-tops” (Matthew 10:27); “Go into all the world and preach
the Gospel to the whole of creation...” (Mark 16:15). The other teaching is that
the Kingdom which Christ proclaims has such ability to penetrate all hearts that,
at the end of time, when Jesus comes again, not a single human action, in favor
or against Christ, will not become public and manifest.

24-25. Our Lord never gets tired of asking the Apostles, the seed which will pro-
duce the Church, to listen carefully to the teaching He is giving: they are recei-
ving a treasure for which they will be held to account. “To him who has will more
be given...”: he who responds to grace will be given more grace and will yield
more and more fruit; but he who does not will become more and more impove-
rished (cf. Matthew 25:14-30). Therefore, there is no limit to the development of
the theological virtues: “If you say ‘Enough,’ you are already dead” (St. Augus-
tine, “Sermon 51”). A soul who wants to make progress in the interior life will
pray along these lines: “Lord, may I have due measure in everything, except in
Love” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 247).

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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Readings at Mass

First reading

2 Samuel 7:18-19,24-29 ©

After Nathan had spoken to him, King David went in and, seated before the Lord, said: ‘Who am I, O Lord, and what is my House, that you have led me as far as this? Yet in your sight, O Lord, this is still not far enough, and you make your promises extend to the House of your servant for a far-distant future. You have constituted your people Israel to be your own people for ever; and you, Lord, have become their God.

‘Now, O Lord, always keep the promise you have made your servant and his House, and do as you have said. Your name will be exalted for ever and men will say, “The Lord of Hosts is God over Israel.” The House of your servant David will be made secure in your presence, since you yourself, Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, “I will build you a House”; hence your servant has ventured to offer this prayer to you. Yes, Lord, you are God indeed, your words are true and you have made this fair promise to your servant. Be pleased, then, to bless the House of your servant, that it may continue for ever in your presence; for you, Lord, have spoken; and with your blessing the House of your servant will be for ever blessed.’

Psalm

Psalm 131:1-5,11-14 ©

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

O Lord, remember David

and all the many hardships he endured,

the oath he swore to the Lord,

his vow to the Strong One of Jacob.

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

‘I will not enter the house where I live

nor go to the bed where I rest.

I will give no sleep to my eyes,

to my eyelids I will give no slumber

till I find a place for the Lord,

a dwelling for the Strong One of Jacob.’

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

The Lord swore an oath to David;

he will not go back on this word:

‘A son, the fruit of your body,

will I set upon your throne.

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

‘If they keep my covenant in truth

and my laws that I have taught them,

their sons also shall rule

on your throne from age to age.’

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

For the Lord has chosen Zion;

he has desired it for his dwelling:

‘This is my resting-place for ever;

here have I chosen to live.

The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.

Gospel Acclamation

Ph2:15-16

Alleluia, alleluia!

You will shine in the world like bright stars

because you are offering it the word of life.

Alleluia!

Or	Ps118:105

Alleluia, alleluia!

Your word is a lamp for my steps

and a light for my path.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Would you bring in a lamp to put it under a tub or under the bed? Surely you will put it on the lamp-stand? For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to this.’

He also said to them, ‘Take notice of what you are hearing. The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given – and more besides; for the man who has will be given more; from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’