Readings: Ephesians 1:11-14, Ps. 33:1-2,4-5,12-13, Luke 12:1-7
“Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (Luke 12:2)
Hey, do not worry; see, no one is watching… I bet you, people will not know… Trust me, don’t you trust me again. I swear I will not tell anyone… Nobody will ever know that this ever happened… This is just between us, okay… See, I will come when no one is at home… Don’t worry, jare, relax, nothing dey happen. These are very common statements. We hear them almost daily, and we know what happens after.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says to us: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is HYPOCRISY. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” (Luke 12:1-3)
One way or another, what we thought we did in secret becomes spoken about freely. The phone calls we had to run into the bathroom to make, text messages and chats we sent and immediately deleted, and the so-called “for your eyes only” pictures we sent and received eventually become matters of public discussion. Is it not easier to avoid evil than to cover up one’s tracks?
If our fear of public perception is enough to restrain us from evil, how come we are not so scared of God who is constantly watching over us? Jesus says it all: “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do…. fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him!” (Luke 12:4-5).
Fear God. You don’t need to fear people or try to be in their good books. The truth is that no matter how good you are, you can never control how people see you or what they say about you. Fear God instead; seek to please God, and let the world run its mouth freely.
Jesus says: “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8-9). How do we acknowledge God before people? By putting God first in every decision and choice we make. Get used to doing what is right, especially in secret, and you will not have a problem acknowledging God publicly.
As St. Paul teaches, holiness is possible because we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. We have heard the gospel of salvation; we have believed in God, and we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Ordinarily, nothing should stop you from going to heaven.
Let us pray: May your grace, O Lord, we pray, at all times go before us and follow after and make us always determined to carry out good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Friday of week 28 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Ephesians 1:11-14, Ps. 33:1-2,4-5,12-13, Luke 12:1-7)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu