You Lord Give Light to my Lamp
Beginning today, and for the next two Sundays (the last 3 Sundays of the Church year), the Gospels are three parables from Chapter 25 of the Gospel According to Matthew. Matthew concludes the ministry of Jesus with these parables. (Chapter 26 begins with “the conspiracy against Jesus” by those who opposed him).
These three parables together teach us how to live our earthly life in reference to the Kingdom of God. And God’s Kingdom is not something of the next life. It is already here because Jesus has already established it with his incarnation, his ministry, his crucifixion and resurrection.
One lesson that can be drawn from today’s Gospel is that in order to live in God’s Kingdom, we must stay connected with Jesus. A lamp without oil cannot give light. And in Scriptures, there are references to God and God’s word as the source of light. For example, “You Lord give light to my lamp; my God brightens my darkness” (Psalm 18: 29) [1], and “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105) [2]. Thus, we, like lamps, must be filled with the Oil – God and God’s Word.
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[1] Footnote in New American Bible for Psalm 119:105.
[2] progressiveinvolvement.com.
Image source: www.agnusday.org
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