Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

This is the Gospel of the poor,
liberation for the imprisoned,
sight for the blind,
freedom for the oppressed.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Luke 8,16-18

'No one lights a lamp to cover it with a bowl or to put it under a bed. No, it is put on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in. For nothing is hidden but it will be made clear, nothing secret but it will be made known and brought to light. So take care how you listen; anyone who has, will be given more; anyone who has not, will be deprived even of what he thinks he has.'

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The Son of Man came to serve,
whoever wants to be great
should become servant of all.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Jesus says: "No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lamp stand, so that those who enter may see the light." The Gospel was given to us so that we in turn would show it to the men and women of our cities. Every community, every believer, can therefore be compared to that lamp stand of which Jesus speaks, a lamp which must be placed up high so that it allows the light of the Gospel to shine. Jesus points out that for this the disciple is called above all to welcome the Word of God in his or her heart: "Then pay attention to how you listen." Whoever does not listen in fact cannot transmit anything of God, but only what is his or hers. But that person will be like a light that has been turned off and has no life. Whoever allows his or her heart to be taught by the Word of God will have a heart that is full of divine wisdom; that person will bear good fruit both for himself and for all. And this is the meaning of Jesus' words: "To who has, much will be given," or, who welcomes the Gospel in the heart will receive abundant wisdom. Gregory the Great says: "The Scriptures grow with whoever reads them," uniting in this way the interior growth of the disciple with the attentive use of Scripture