“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.” Then his mother and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it (Lk. 8:16-21).”
Christians must pay attention to what they hear and pay attention to how they listen. The disciples must spread the light of God’s word to others. Knowledge of the Kingdom of God is not a secret to be shared with a special few. The mysteries of the kingdom of God must be shared with others. Those who hear and understand the word and then share the true understanding of the word will be brought to greater understanding. Those who hear the word of God and do not understand but try to share their misunderstanding with others will lose what they have heard. Those who hear, understand and act on God’s word become God’s family. Jesus is not rejecting his family. Listening deeply to the word of God is fundamental to the Christian life.
Almighty God, you make the deaf hear and the mute speak, so be merciful to your servants and open our ears that we may hear your word, open our minds o that we may understand your word and open our lips that we may praise your name as we spread your word to others. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Expanded Edition, Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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