Fr Agustinus Sutiono O.Carm
Both the first Reading and the gospel offer practical advices. The first Reading provides advices not to postpone any act of kindness when the opportunity and the moment to do so come to us, including to give to someone the good on which he has a claim when it is in our power to do it for him. We are advised not to plot evil against our neighbor, against one who lives at peace with us, not to quarrel with a man without cause or with one who has done no harm to us, and not to envy to and imitate the ways of the lawless person. The perverse, the wicked and the arrogant person are an abomination in God’s eyes. However, to the upright God offers his friendship and to the humble he shows kindness. The call to be merciful, kind, good, upright, and to be humble is a call to become a person functioning as an enkindled lamp. These are good deeds before God.
Jesus in the Gospel of Luke today put forth the idea of a lighting lamp. Jesus said: “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”. We can understand these words if we connect them with the parable of the seed sown by a farmer which preceded.
It was said that some seed fell along the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns and some other seed fell on good soil. The seed represent the words of God. Different types of soil represent different hearts of men and their actual conditions when they receive the words of God. The soil that exists along the path are every heart who hears the words of God, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The soil filled with thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. The good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. The problema here is not in the quality of the seed, but on the main preoccupation of the heart. It affects the way a person hears, perceives and understands them. We are called to grow well and yield.
To yield fruits out of the seed sown means to realise concrete actions and deeds which flow from a mind, thought and will that are guided and influenced by the words of God. The Word of God is light, as said: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”. Jesus is the Word of God. He said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Those who receive Jesus, listen to him, have faith in him and follow his teachings and examples of life have the light in their being. They too become the light of the world. He said: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”. Faith without works is dead. It is like a lamp unable to function. Thus, to yield deeds out of the words of God is like to function well is a lamp. Good works and good deeds inspired by the words of God function as a shining light. They can be used to explain so many things. God knows what is in the heart.