Do you listen or do you hide?

Mk 4: 24-25

Mark 4 NIV (biblehub.com)

Parable of the measure

How often in our lives we find ourselves struggling to make sense of our surroundings. Whether this is with our loved ones, our close family and friends, our colleagues, or perhaps within ourselves. Alternatively, maybe we are finding a particular aspect of our life opaque. A course we are studying on or the problems a friend is dealing with. Often, the answers to our troubles are difficult to find and, equally, we shy away from tackling whatever it is that troubles us.

With this in mind, this parable is one that many find difficult to decipher but I shall do my best to translate. It follows quickly on from "The Parable of the Lamp" in Mark's Gospel, which teaches us that we must not hide away nor try to cover our sins: we are a lamp that must radiate for all to see. It is both an exhortation to celebrate humanity and also a warning from Jesus that what we do will be accounted for.

In the equally short but memorable "Parable of the Measure", Jesus says "Take notice of what you are hearing" as it is a "standard" we will be held to. Indeed, he goes on to say that those that listen "will receive more" and those who do not "

". In essence: if we follow the Christ's teachings we will be able to learn more and one day gain more in union with Him. If we ignore, we will lose everything.

This is a lesson for humanity and a lesson in leadership: we must be on show and be able to take the judgements of those around us. We must be beyond reproach. If we do, the rewards in life and beyond are huge.

In even shorter form: if we try to hide and not true to ourselves, we will not only gain nothing but will surely lose everything.