Let Your Light Shine

by FLL Editorial Team
2013-09-23


那時候,耶穌對群眾說:「沒有人點上燈,用器皿遮蓋住,或放在床底下的,而是放在燈台上,為叫進來的人看見光明;因為沒有隱藏的事,不被顯露的;沒有秘密的事,不被知道而公開出來的。所以,你們應當留心要怎樣聽:因為凡有的,還要給他:凡沒有的,連他自以為有的,也要從他奪去。」
路加福音 8:16-18

oil_lamp

耶穌在今天的福音中說:沒有人點上燈而把它遮蓋著,燈該放在燈台上,照亮其他人。

天國的福音是為所有人的。我們相信耶穌是世界的光,而跟隨祂的人也應該像燈一樣,照亮世界。我們既明知傳福音是我們的責任,卻傾向「把信仰收起來,不強加在人身上」。

當然,我們不該(亦無法)強迫別人相信,但邀請他人「來看看」是另一回事。我們既然相信福音能為人的生活帶來喜樂,就該活出這份喜樂,令他人在我們身上看到福音真的能帶來改變。

耶穌說:「你們應當留心要怎樣聽。」我們要懂得怎樣聽,要明白、接納、吸收,並付諸實行。我們應把所聆聽和理解的傳開去,否則便會失去。耶穌補充說:「因為凡有的,還要給他:凡沒有的,連他自以為有的,也要從他奪去。」


Jesus said to the crowd: “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. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”
Luke 8:16-18

In today's Gospel, Jesus says: No one who lights a lamp conceals it, rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.

The Good News of the heavenly kingdom is for all. We understand Jesus to be the Light of the world and His followers are also to be like lamps shining out for all the world to see. We know that preaching the Good News is our responsibility, yet there are strong tendencies for us “to keep our religion to ourselves and not foist it on others”.

Forcing others to believe is not on, even if it were possible. Inviting people to “come and see” is something else. We also believe that the Gospel message offers a way of life that brings great happiness into the lives of individuals. So, part of our communicating the message is as much through our lifestyle (“See! it works!”) as through what we say.

“Take heed, therefore, how you hear,” says Jesus today. It has to be a hearing which understands, accepts, assimilates and puts into practice. What is heard and assimilated has to be passed on. Otherwise it dies. But “to the one who has, more will be given”. And “he who has not [because he has not been hearing and absorbing properly] will lose even the little he has”.

Reference:
Commentary on Luke 8:16-18

MORE ARTICLES

RELATED