3rd Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 27th January 2022 — Gospel: Mark 4,21-25
Light that promises for more
The hiddenness of God’s kingdom, as a lamp under a basket, is a necessary but temporary state. It is like Jesus urging his followers to keep his identity as secret for a while. However, his messianic identity as the bearer of God’s kingdom will ultimately be fully revealed to all people, like the purpose of the lamp is to give light to all. Therefore the parable of the lamp serves as both a warning and a promise. It is a promise for the true disciples of Jesus; since “the secret of the kingdom of God” is given to them, their understanding will be enriched by greater knowledge and truth. And to them “more will be given” later on through the revelation of the Son of the God through his death and resurrection. But for “those outside” it is a warning; since they have hardened their hearts to God, their darkness will be greater still. From them “even what they have will be taken away” because they have shut their eyes and closed their ears to the gospel.
