Faith Daily | 19 September 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p583

Loving Father,

whose Son Jesus Christ has taught us

that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters

we do also for him:

give us the will to be the servant of others

as he was the servant of all,

who gave up his life and died for us,

and yet lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 8: 16-18

16 ‘No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. 18Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.’

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Meredith Nicholls

Jesus here is asking his disciples to consider carefully how they listen. They would shortly be proclaiming the truth, and the truth, like the light from a lamp on a stand, would be shed widely to illumine and transform many.

We don’t have the privilege of being there to hear the voice of Jesus as his disciples did, so how can we listen to the voice of Jesus?

He encourages us when we worship to listen rather than to be quick with our speech and hasty in our hearts (Ecc 5:1), and when it comes to putting the word into action, the letter to James exhorts us to not merely listen to the word but to do what it says.

“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (Jas 1: 22-24).

I believe that Jesus is asking us to consider carefully listening to him in order that we might deepen our faith and understanding, that we may be like the lamp that provides light, hope and a pathway to God, for all who are drawn to discovering His truth and abundant life.

FINAL PRAYER

Lord help us to grow in love for you and to deepen our devotion to what you desire for each one of us and for all creation. Help us to listen to you through prayer, scripture, creation, the creative arts and the voice of your spirit through others, so that we might deepen our relationship with you and be ready to share our faith with those who seek you.

Amen.