25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME B

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WALKING INTO THE LIGHT



In his life, Jesus had to deal with a lot of frustrations, the worst coming from his own disciples.  He has just taught them the value of carrying the cross like him and with him. Now in Mark’s chapter 9, Jesus catches the disciples scheming about their future glory in an imagined earthly reign of their Master.  They were arguing among themselves who was the greatest of all.

The disciples did not openly quarrel about their ambitions.  They tried to hide all these squabbles from the Lord.  And when found out, “they remained silent,” that is, they were filled with shame.

The disciples thought it was safe to discuss things among themselves, apart from Jesus.  They dared not plan their projected ascent to power in the presence of the Lord but actually, behind his back, so he would not hear, so he would not know.  But Jesus was always sensitive to the people around him and he felt they were into something again.

In a retreat I learned of human beings’ natural tendency to hide from others what is ignoble and dishonorable.  We conjure up wicked thoughts and do sinister acts far from the light, for fear of being exposed.  We commit our sins in secret so as to more easily bury them again without others noticing.  We believe that apart from the light we become more free, more powerful, more in control.

But No!  This is a deception.  It is the devil’s trick to convince us to keep these unworthy thoughts and actions secret.  My retreat master was always strong on this point:  secrecy is a tool of the devil.  Many sins happen and continue to happen because the devil tempts us to conceal things within ourselves, among our circles, until these things are out of hand and have gotten worse.

If we consider our entire life, what is in us that God does not know?  What actions and thoughts of ours are beyond the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit?  We think we are hiding, but is there really room to hide under the rays of God’s love? The disciples thought Jesus did not notice, but in his great love, Jesus was just waiting for them to open their hearts so he could address their concerns and enlighten their minds about their desires.

Like the disciples are there things we try to hide from others who can best help us?  Do husbands and wives freely share with each other what’s happening to them at work or at home? Do children find it consoling to consult their parents about their relationships? Do we reveal to our trusted friends our real struggles?  Do employees reveal to their bosses what they need to know about the office transactions? Do we come to Confession to expose our interior burdens to the transforming and energizing grace of the Lord?

Before the heart of Jesus, there are no secrets.  He knows what goes on in our minds and hearts. And he wants to know them through us.  Let us open our hearts to the Lord in prayer and beg for his light.  Let us trust the people who care about us and allow them to help us in our struggles. 

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