Daily Gospel Reflection
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January 30, 2020
Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”
And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”
In today’s gospel passage, Jesus uses the image of a lamp to describe how his disciples are to live out what Jesus has taught them. Because they had been given the gift of faith, Jesus’ disciples had an obligation to share the Good News with others. Their faith was not to be hidden, but instead shine brightly like a lamp in the darkness, illuminating the way for others to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and thus come to know God. They were to be light-bearers of Christ.
This gospel passage raises some important questions which we, as Christians, might consider:
Do I hesitate to talk about issues of faith in my interactions with others? Am I embarrassed to say that I am a Christian? If yes, why might this be?
Is there someone in need of help whom I have pretended not to notice? If so, why?
What gifts and talents has God given me? Are there any gifts or talents that I am not fully using to help those around me? If so, why am I hiding these?
How can I be of service to the Church, especially my local parish? Have I taken time to discern whether God might be calling me to a particular parish ministry? Am I hiding from what God is calling me?
Jesus instructs his disciples that “the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given to you.” If we are looking to know God more fully, this will not happen by hiding who we have been called to be, that is, light-bearers of Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, through the incarnation of your Son, the Church bears the divine light of the anointed one. Let each of us bear the infinite measure: Christ alive in us. Overflowing with infinite grace, may we offer more than our life’s work. Give us courage to share the living Christ for all to see, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Though she had entered the convent, St. Hyacinth had no intention of living as a nun. The story of her conversion is a lesson in prayer and grace.
She was born in 1585 in Italy to a family of Italian nobles. She was a troublesome child, frivolous and overly superficial, so her parents placed her in a Franciscan monastery for her education.
She had her heart set on marriage with an Italian noble, but was passed over for a younger sister, and she became severely depressed. She decided to join the community at the monastery, and took on the name Sister Hyacintha. Secretly, she did this only to hide her disappointment, not to enter into the life of prayer and sacrifice of the nuns there.
She remained there as a nun for ten years, but had no real enthusiasm for life as a nun. In fact, she refused the fasting and mortifications that others in her community committed to, and even used her personal wealth to bring comforts and luxuries to her room. She kept a kitchen in her room so she could prepare her own meals and wore a habit of the finest material. She received visitors and came and went as she pleased.
Still, while she remained ambiguous about her vows, she was faithful to a regular life of personal prayer. Finally, she was touched by God’s grace and inspired to give herself to the life that she had found herself in.
One day, she fell very sick, and her confessor brought Communion to her in her room. When he discovered the way she was living, he earnestly encouraged her to live more humbly.
She took his advice seriously and made a public confession of her faults to the other nuns. She discarded her luxurious garments and wore an old habit and went about barefoot. She frequently fasted, volunteered for the most menial tasks in the convent, and replaced her bed with bare boards. Her spirituality and devotion began to focus on Mary, the sufferings of Christ, and the Eucharist.
By her example, she became an inspiration to sisters in her community and an excellent mentor for young novices. She soon became known for the gifts of prophecy and for working miracles. Her prayer life was set aflame and she was consumed with love of God. During an epidemic in the area, she heroically cared for the sick, and she established organizations that helped the poor, the aged who were too sick to beg, and the imprisoned.
When she died in 1640, great crowds gathered for her funeral. Her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Hyacinth, you were the nun who lived a secret life of luxury until you were touched by God’s grace, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Hyacinth is in the public domain. Last accessed November 22, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.
