Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(Proverbs 3:27-34; Luke 8:16-18)
If wise people offer proverbs, Jesus shows himself among the
wisest in today’s gospel. He offers four
proverbs that go deeper than the proverbs purportedly offered by Solomon in the
first reading.
1) Referring to himself, Jesus says that no one lights a
lamp and then hides it. He is the lamp that
reveals the will of God. How can he not
preach? 2) As the Letter to the
Ephesians says, God has revealed in Christ His plan to bring everyone together. Therefore, people should be wary of the hopelessness
that surrounds the world. 3) They hear
tales of woe but should not lose faith.
God will not abandon them or the world.
4) Maintaining faith will produce more faith with accompanying hope and
joy. Those without enough faith to even say
a prayer will find themselves overwhelmed by the many worries of the world.
Wise people are not necessarily scholars. They are thoughtful people who reflect on the
nature of things. Steeped in faith, they
will help us live fruitful and meaningful lives. Even though his life was short, Jesus has
shown us how much everyone’s life is worth living.
