Shine – Br. Luke Ditewig

Br. Luke Ditewig
Br. Luke Ditewig

Mark 4:21-25

No one covers a lamp with a basket or puts it under a bed, says Jesus. Hiding a lamp makes it ineffective. A lamp is made to share light, to be out in the open so others may see. Matthew adds: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”[i] We are made to shine, to illuminate, to point people to God, not hiding or keeping to ourselves. 

Yesterday in the text preceding this we heard a parable.[ii] Like the wild sower, God is recklessly generous, scattering seed everywhere, including where there is little chance of bearing fruit. Like the different soils, we vary in our receptivity, while God keeps loving, generously sharing.

To receive such generosity and to share it means being vulnerable—risky, emotional, exposed—and this is how we are created to be. Fear and shame prompt hiding or hording. Jesus says as a lamp is for a room, we are to receive, be seen, and shine.                                            

Jesus continues: “The measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given to you.” Eugene Peterson paraphrases it this way in The Message: “Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.” Blessed, we are to be a blessing. Loved, we are to love. Receiving reckless generosity, show up and shine. Don’t hide or keep it to yourself. 

How is God inviting you today to share what you have received, to be generous giving love? How may you be vulnerable today by listening well and in sharing your voice? 

Let your light shine.    


[i] Matthew 5:15

[ii] Mark 4:1-20

Support SSJE


Please support the Brothers work.
The brothers of SSJE rely on the inspired kindness of friends to sustain our life and our work. We are grateful for the prayers and support provided to us.

Click here to Donate

5 Comments

  1. Claudia I Booth on January 29, 2022 at 12:49

    Absolutely! If everyone heeded this bit of wisdom, the world would be a better place. Thank you.

  2. Brother Robert Julian, OC on January 29, 2022 at 10:00

    Covering up your light can set the house on fire! Less literally but more importantly, when we don’t share what we have, that which we have becomes less ours, making us less able to enjoy our blessings.
    Brother Robert Julian, OC

  3. Sylvia Tospann on January 15, 2021 at 03:35

    Comment for Brother Luke

    Jesus continues: “The measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given to you.” Eugene Peterson paraphrases it this way in The Message: “Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.” Blessed, we are to be a blessing. Loved, we are to love. Receiving reckless generosity, show up and shine. Don’t hide or keep it to yourself.

    Thanks for your wise words. I have often experienced this. Whatever we give, be it helping somebody else, pulling weeds in the church yard….., one always gets blessings back, in another form……that is.

  4. Lisa Azzam on January 30, 2020 at 19:52

    Brother Luke I love this quote-is it a part of a bigger piece? And is that available?

  5. Jeff McGuire on January 30, 2020 at 15:03

    Thank you for sharing. I think some cannot afford at offering so they are not really hiding.
    Another time they can be generous.

Leave a Comment