Reflection for Thursday, January 31, 2002: 3rd week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Reed-Bouley, Ken
Issue Date
2002-01-31
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Essay
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en_US
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Abstract
Jesus said to the crowd: "Is a lamp acquired to be put under a bushel basket or hidden under a bed? Is it not meant to be put on a stand? Things are hidden only to be revealed at a later time; they are covered so as to be brought out into the open. Let [those] who [have] ears to hear me, hear!" - Mark 4:21||What do we hide in our lives? Why do we hide these things? Do we always intend to reveal them?|Based on the parables about the Kingdom of God that surround this passage in Mark's Gospel, we can assume Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of God as being hidden or difficult to access. Jesus suggests that the Kingdom of God has been hidden so that it may now be revealed, seemingly for effect or as part of a divine plan. Jesus himself was virtually hidden until he began his public ministry at 30 years of age.|It seems to me that we hide many things for many reasons, not always with the intention of later revelation.|Out of fear of being ostracized, rejected, or hurt, we sometimes hide significant parts of ourselves such as sexual orientation or deeply held but unpopular political views.|Out of shame we sometimes hide past deeds that cry out for healing light yet remained trapped in the darkness of self-doubt and self-loathing.|Out of greed some individuals and corporations hide environmental destruction, poor treatment of workers and illegal activities.|So not everything that is hidden is intended to be brought out into the open.|We do, however, intentionally hide some things for effect. For example, several times each day my two year old announces from the closet, "I'm hidin'." The anticipation of being found is almost too exhilarating for her to stand! Parents hide Christmas and birthday presents from excited children. Similarly, Jesus reveals the Kingdom of God and himself as highly anticipated gifts that are capable of bringing us profound joy.|But do we have ears to hear? For some of us the light of Jesus will remain dim or hidden. For others of us, Jesus is the light that illumines everything else in our lives and world.|[Jesus] said to them another time: "Listen carefully to what you hear. In the measure you give you shall receive, and more besides. To those who have, more will be given; from those who have not, what little they have will be taken away." Mark 4:24|I believe there is a connection here between being able to see the revealed light and Jesus' statement, "in the measure you give you shall receive, and more besides." The more we practice giving, the more we build our capacity to receive. (Aristotle and Aquinas have much to say about "habituation" into virtue and vice.) In the "Our Father," Jesus teaches us that the more we forgive, the more we will have the capacity to receive God's ever-available forgiveness: "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."|The more we allow the revealed light of Jesus to illuminate, forgive, transform and embolden the parts of our lives we keep hidden for negative reasons, the more we will all be able to reveal what is hidden deep within us.|God of light and forgiveness, penetrate our depths that we may have ears to hear and eyes to see the unconditionally loving and healing grace that you offer us all. Amen.
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary number: 320