Expose to the Light

Today’s Gospel Text: And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not on a stand? 22 For there is nothing hid, except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. 23 If any man has ears to hear, let him hear." 24 And he said to them, "Take heed what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. 25 For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away." Mark 4:21-25

Reflection: One of the freedoms we demand is the freedom of privacy and as per the laws of human right it is guaranteed in the constitutions of many nations, who have signed the United Nations charter on human rights.

The right to privacy usually guarantees to a certain defined extent when, where and how much of personal information could be disclosed by an individual.

It is a happy law for the many of us in the world who could go through a nightmare if the hidden things of our lives were to be made public.

Embarrassment, hurt, pain, betrayal, distress are some of the deepest feeling that we struggle with when exposed either rightly or wrongly, by the cautious or the overcautious.   

Despite all these freedoms of privacy laws, the Lord is cautioning us about the ultimate day, if not now when we will have to face the exposure of disclosure before the king and judge and then it will be public knowledge, whether we like it or not.

The exposure is sure and is inevitable; everything hidden in darkness has to be manifest by the light of Christ and what is secret will be manifest. (vs.22) 

But for us Christian we could avoid the great embarrassment by bringing things to the light of Christ through the Sacrament of reconciliation, which makes things practical and easy.

The light of Christ thus shining on the darkened area dispels everything that is not of his kingdom and clears our consciences to face him on that day without fear or anxiety.

Believe in what Christ claims about himself; as the light of the world, a light that dispels all darkness. Turn to his merciful love and forgiveness offered to us once and for all on the Cross.

Prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting! Ps 139:23-24

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Idolaters

Scripture/Bible:  Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.  Matt 26:14-16

Reflection:   "What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” this communicates the character Judas, in the great drama that unfolds before us. 

This sort of avariciousness could manifest in many forms.

What will I get out of this? How will I benefit from this? Will I become that which I aspire to be? What will I gain in return for my investment? How is my interest going to be served?

The above questions are not so harmful in themselves if practiced in an ethical way but they become vicious and terribly evil when such things are achieved at the cost of someone else’s life or at the cost of truth. “If I deliver him to you”; is a betrayal of the other and for self gain.

This betrayal may not always be through 30 pieces of silver but could be through slander, gossip, backbiting and maligning. It may not necessarily be for wealth but could be for power and positions, fame and fan following, health and not just wealth. 

There are many who prefer to betray their Lord and master, who shed his blood for them, in order to seek health, wealth and favor, some do it through occult new age practices or through compromise of the faith of Christ. These will compromise the doctrine of Christ for cheap gain and popularity, for security and recognition. Some think that to please people is a form of godliness but ultimately it is a form of greed to want to be called nice and good.

No wonder scripture affirms such greed as a form of idolatry. (Col. 3:5)

The modern day Judases are many but with the Lord there is mercy. It is necessary that one repents and turn to him opting for the narrow road which he invites his followers to walk on, order to receive his mercy; “He who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matt 10:38-39

Prayer: Lord, may I humbly seek you and your ways and not in the ways of idolaters.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us