Mark 4:21-25 NRSVue
21He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket or under the bed and not on the lampstand? 22For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. 23If you have ears to hear, then hear!” 24And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and it will be added to you. 25For to those who have, more will be given, and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”
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Reflection on Mark 4:21-25
Inspiration from 2026-01-29 Daily Prayer
A couple of the readings we have meditated on recently share a similar message to the one we look at today. The Lord encourages us to make our best efforts to bring the Kingdom to others, but points out that some things outside our control need to be addressed if the message is to be conveyed effectively. Those to whom the word is being conveyed need to be active and open listeners. We send out a blessing ahead of us that the soil in which we labour will be receptive.
Further reflection
/To the one who has, more will be given…/ Jesus is quoting a proverb about economics: the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. His message is to be generous: /the measure you give will be the measure you get./ As Francis of Assisi prayed: /It is in giving that we receive./
The lamp to be placed on the lampstand is Jesus. He is the new revelation of God, replacing the lampstands of traditional religion. The prophet is a lamp to the people. In our words and actions, the lamp of Jesus is still alight.
We offer to God in prayer the light of our minds and the love of our hearts. We acknowledge all the complexities that go with being human - the light and the dark.
More sayings of Jesus with a combination of plain common sense and obscurity. We understand first that Jesus wants his close followers to let the light of his teaching shine out. Others may choose to stay in the dark, indifferent or hostile. The second half of the passage is obscure. It seems to mean that just as the wealthy keep accumulating riches and the poor are consistently deprived, so those with spiritual insight will be further enlightened, while those without it will only fall into worse ignorance.
Does Sacred Space help me to come to know Jesus and let the light and warmth of his goodness and teaching shine out before others?