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. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 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.” 19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. 20 He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” 21 He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
Jesus uses the metaphor of a lamp on a lampstand to explain that his message about the Kingdom of God is meant to be proclaimed openly to everyone. Knowledge of the Kingdom of God is not a secret to be shared with a special few. Divine truths that are currently hidden will be revealed (Mk. 4:22). To some it is a promise and to others a warning. Divine truth and justice, though they might appear to be unrewarded in the present will ultimately prevail and be vindicated by God (Ps. 37:5-6; Mt. 5:11-12). The hidden intentions and deeds of the wicked will eventually be exposed and God will judge them accordingly (Eccl. 12:14; Rom. 2:16). One must be open and responsive to God’s word.
Those who hear and understand the word and then share the true understanding of the word will be brought to even greater spiritual understanding and richness. Those who hear the word of God and are indifferent or hostile to the message may lose even their basic understanding of the word. Hearing the word calls for active engagement with faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus radically expands the concept of family to include those who hear, understand, and act on God’s word. Jesus is not rejecting his biological family; instead, he encourages everyone to accept a broader spiritual family that extends beyond blood relations. Jesus invites all to become part of God’s family.
Heavenly Father, open our ears to hear your word, open our minds to understand your word, and open our lips to praise your name and spread your word to others. Help us to embrace your truth and live it so that we may truly be a part of your spiritual family. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Sources:
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- 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. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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