Light is good from whatever lamp it shines.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr

(Gospel text: MK 4:21-25)

Jesus said to his disciples,

“Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket

or under a bed,

and not to be placed on a lampstand?

For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible;

nothing is secret except to come to light.

Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.”

He also told them, “Take care what you hear.

The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,

and still more will be given to you.

To the one who has, more will be given;

from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Today’s reading reminds us of a lesson of critical importance. We are not called to be solitary ships upon the sea, but rather beacons of Christ’s love to others. When we see others in struggles, even when they are not struggles that we have shared or can immediately relate to, we must remember that God calls on us to be his messengers. We must not only rise to the occasion in our own daily struggles, but we must help others in theirs as well. Oftentimes, doing so benefits ourselves as much as those being helped.

“God is in all actions done from love.”

As we forge on through the rest of this year, I ask that we all remember to show Christ’s love through our own love, through compassion, patience, and forgiveness.