This reflection is coming soon. Until then, this is a refletion by Andy Alexander, S.J.

Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim
when it is in your power to do it for him. - Proverbs 3

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. ..
Take care, then, how you hear. - Luke 8

This gospel from Luke come right after Jesus explains the parable of the sower, which ends with these words:

"But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance." (Luke 8:15)

Today's gospel has been an important reminder to me. I think I sincerely try to be good soil, to be receptive of Our Lord's words of love and promise of accompanment of me, and his invitation and grace to be like him in loving and forgiving others, and of a life of self-sacrificing love and accompanying others. It isn't that I don't "hear" that blessed word. I have heard it, I do hear it over and over.

The help Jesus offers us today is to remember that I often "forget" what I've heard. The good news of his love, the promise of his closeness and the assistance offered me, all fade away when I let stress, anxiety, compromises, bad choices cloud my memory. I forget. The grace I ask for today is that I might continue to remember what I've heard and to rely on that good news in living my life more gratefully and iwth greater trust.