Memorial of Saint Timothy and Saint Titus
I’ve often been stumped by the last verse of today’s gospel reading (Mark 4: 21-25): “To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” A similar verse is found in Luke and Matthew’s gospel (Mt 13:12), “To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” At face value, I have thought it to be a confusing, even disturbing verse in conflict with Jesus’ teachings on justice and mercy. Looking further, however, into a little scripture study, we find that it is not referring to a person’s social status or wealth, or even gifts and talents. This verse, as well as the one preceding it in today’s gospel passage (known as the parable of the lamp), is a call to an attentive hearing of God’s word. God gives further understanding to those who accept the revealed mystery, but from those who do not accept it, it will be taken away.
It is also helpful to know that the last two verses of today’s reading correspond to the previous passage in the gospel (Mark 4:13-20) in which Jesus explains the parable of the sower to his disciples. That passage ends with, “But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundred fold.” Basically, the sower parable is describing four types of people in their response to God’s word: 1) those who never accept the word of the kingdom, 2) those who believe for a while but fall away because of trials or persecution, 3) those who believe, but in whom the word is choked by worldly anxiety and the seduction of riches and other worldly desires, and 4) those who respond to the word and produce fruit abundantly. So, if we are attentive to God’s word and accept it, we will receive more understanding and be able to produce abundant spiritual fruit, and that fruit will be evident in our lives.
All of this, as well as the beginning of today’s gospel, is to be viewed against a background of the disbelief and opposition Jesus encountered in his ministry. The beginning of today’s gospel corresponds to earlier in Mark’s gospel (4:11-12), “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables….” For those who believe and who are prepared to hear the word of God and seek it’s meaning, the gift of understanding is given. “For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” (4: 22,23)
As disciples of Jesus we are privy to an understanding of God’s word that comes from the Holy Spirit. The more we seek that understanding and wisdom, the more that will be revealed to us. It makes me think of a wellspring in which the closer one digs to the source of the well, the more abundantly the water pours forth. We especially need to draw from that life-giving water in times of trials and tribulation. Like Paul in today’s first reading (2 Tim 1:1-8) who is writing to Timothy from prison, may we be strengthened in the Lord, “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” We will likely not have to bear the hardship Paul did for the gospel, but in our own struggles and suffering, may we seek the strength that comes from God through God’s word. And pray for strength for each other as Paul remembered Timothy, “constantly in my prayers, night and day.”
- Eileen Miller