Proverbs 3:27-34 / Luke 8:16-18
In any experiment, the surrounding environment is usually controlled, i.e., the constants and the variables are closely monitored.
The subsequent result, though may be useful for data and scientific collation, may not necessarily reflect the real-life situation and circumstances.
Because when the elements in the environment are left to fluctuate and vary, the end result would certainly end up different or even in opposition.
The 1st reading which is from the book of Proverbs tells us of sensible and charitable precepts of life which we think is common sense and we may think that it goes without saying.
Yet we must remember that we are hearing/reading it under controlled circumstances - we are comfortable and at ease and there is nothing that is disturbing us or irritating us or agitating us.
As much as it may seem obvious to us to do the good and right thing, yet in life we so often fail simply because we are affected by the environment around us, with its adverse situations and circumstances.
So in the end, we don't do what we know we should, and we end up doing what we should not.
Similarly, in the gospel, Jesus said that no one lights a lamp to cover it with a bowl or put it under a bed. We might think that it goes without saying and common sense would tell us that it is a silly thing to do.
But we must remember that we live in a world of changing circumstances and situations, and we react contrary to the obvious and contrary to common sense.
Hence we must stand by God, who is unchanging, if we want to do the good and the right thing.