Gospel in Art: No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed

Terracotta oil lamp, Roman, Early Imperial, 1st century AD, © Metropolitan Museum of Art

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 22 September 2025
Luke 8:16-18

At that time: Jesus said to the crowd, 'No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.'

Reflection on the Antique Oil Lamp

One of the joys of being a priest, is to regularly celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism, usually on Saturdays here at Westminster Cathedral. As the godparents light the child's baptismal candle from the great Paschal Candle, I say the familiar words: "Receive the light of Christ. Parents and godparents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. They are to walk always as children of the light. May they keep the flame of faith alive in their hearts."

At our own baptism, a light was lit in us: the light of Christ, the light of faith. Our Christian calling is to keep that flame alive, so that it shines through in all we say and do. In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that when a lamp is lit, it is not meant to be hidden but placed on a stand so that others can see its light. He was speaking of the small oil lamps of His day, with a wick that needed to be kept supplied with oil. In baptism, our wick was lit... and now we must keep it filled with oil. How? By listening to the Lord's word and being attentive to His presence. This is the daily oil that will keep our lamps lit and feed the flame of faith.

Our beautiful terracotta oil lamp (1st century CE, Roman, Early Imperial) is crafted from moulded clay. The circular discus (where oil was poured in the holes) show beautifully detailed relief work and depicts the figures of winged Victory holding a cornucopia (horn of plenty) in her right hand and a trophy on a pole in her left. The scene also contains a shield above an altar, and to either side, Victory is flanked by two lares militares (guardians of the soldiers).

In ancient Rome, such lamps were commonly made of either bronze or terracotta. Bronze lamps were more durable, often more elaborately decorated and more costly. In contrast, terracotta lamps, like the one shown, were the everyday version, mass-produced in moulds. Because these clay lamps were inexpensive, richly embellished examples are particularly rare and valuable.

As for the fuel, olive oil was the most widely used oil across the Mediterranean, favoured for burning cleanly and being readily available. In some regions, alternatives such as sesame, fish, or other plant oils were used, to light oil lamps. Wicks were typically made from fibrous materials like linen or papyrus, drawing oil into the flame.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-8-16-18-2025/