There is nothing covered that will not be uncovered. There is nothing hidden that will not be made known. What I am telling you in the dark, you must speak in the light. What you hear in private, proclaim from the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but have no power to kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of him who can destroy both body and soul in hell. For a few cents you can buy two sparrows. Yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father knowing. As for you, every hair of your head has been counted. Do not be afraid: you are worth more than many sparrows. Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. Whoever rejects me before others, I will reject before my Father in heaven.
—Matthew 10:26-3
Everyone has a secret to keep. Some bring their secret with them until death. They die along with their best kept secrets.
Jesus told his disciples that everything will be disclosed as nothing covered will not be uncovered. Hidden things will be made known in due time. What the Lord is telling us in the dark, one has to speak in the light. Whatever we hear that comes from God must be proclaimed to its grandest. The Word of God liberates and makes us courageous to stand witness for God. And when one speaks truthfully, it is light itself for truth is light.
“You must speak in the light,” do not be afraid of those who will persecute you, bring you to prison or even kill you for it is only the body. Be afraid instead to those who can kill both body and soul. We have to be troubled and scared not to those who make us suffer bodily but those who would bring us to eternal damnation. We should fear those who could kill the total person—one’s body and soul.
Jesus used the sparrows and the hair on one’s head as metaphors. Neither sparrow will ever fall nor hair from the head will fall without the will of the Father, of God. God cares for us for we are more valuable than the sparrows.
We are created in the image and likeness of God. We are more prized and loved by the Father if we do his will. We are more cherished by God in his mercy and love. We are more than the sparrows in the air whom God loved, too.
But there are conditions set by Jesus: whether you recognize him or reject him. Those who do not acknowledge Jesus as Son of God will be rejected by his Father but those who recognize Jesus as Son of God will be acknowledge by God who is heaven. Almost everybody claims that he/ she is a believer and follower of Jesus but what do we do in giving witness to Jesus? Do we speak the Lord in light and proclaim him to all?
Our relationship with Jesus is the consequence of our faith in God. When we speak just like children of God, do we keep the God’s Word and follow his precepts? When we are frightened, do we still tell the truth and side with the truth, or do we remain silent and indifferent instead in the midst of suffering, threats, and persecution? Are you convince to proclaim Jesus and preach the good news of our salvation to everyone?
Our relationship to God must be seen, heard and felt by everyone. Let us see if God is present in our daily encounters and relationships with our neighbors, and they are our — our families, relatives circle of friends, co- workers, partners in our communities. When one only pretends to be faithful to God he/ she will be known eventually by God since everything hidden will be uncovered.
God is light, hence, we are children of light. Let us make Jesus our light and let him be our light in our world today as we reject all forms of anti- life and anti- light. Let us bring Jesus in our midst where there are massive poverty and oppression, divisions and conflicts, wars and violence. Let us stand by Jesus, the light of the world.
Let us pray, reflect and ask ourselves:
Do I obey everything the God wants me to do?
Do I proclaim Christ as my Lord and savior?
Do I bear Christ in everything I do and wherever I go?
Am I a light to others just like Christ is light to the world?
Prayer
Almighty and Ever-living God, we know that your great love for us is lasting and you will never abandon us till the end of time. We recognize your goodness and kindness for your love and mercy is without end. We give our allegiance to you and ask for your light and strength so we can proclaim your greatness in all corners of the world. Bless us with every good gift so we can stand witness for you and in your behalf. This we ask through Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Intention
Let us remember those people whom we had promised to pray for; let us entrust to God all their intentions and petitions that God may hear their supplications and grant their requests. We also pray for peace all over the world, especially in Marawi, Cotabato and its neighboring places.