Memorial of Saint Andrew Kim Taegŏn, priest and martyr, and Saint Paul Chŏng Hasang, martyr, and their companions, martyrs

Ferns at MSF

For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.

The Evangelists could not have imagined the dangers of live microphones when a muttered remark might be broadcast to the world. They never dreamed an embarrassing photograph might amuse millions of strangers. They didn’t suppose a long forgotten incident might lurk eternally on the Internet to destroy careers and reputations. But they knew about gossip and how difficult it is to counter a particularly malicious falsehood.

Perhaps most people, hearing the above verse from the Gospel of Saint Luke, suppose it is about their shameful secrets coming to light. If they fail to emerge in this world they might surface on That Day when the Lord judges each of us before the nations. How embarrassing that might be!

However -- this verse is not about our unfortunate sins; it’s about the gospel. Sometimes Christians have to hide their love for Jesus. Since the day Christ died until now, his goodness has sometimes aroused violent hate, and we have found it necessary to whisper the Gospel to one another.

In Ireland, the Mass was celebrated on quiet roads far off the beaten path, when peripatetic priests gathered the country folks to worship. In Holland they created secret chapels in the upper floors of homes, where guests never came unless they were invited to midnight Mass. In Japan Catholic Christians kept the faith for centuries despite a vicious persecution. Without priests, they had no sacraments but baptism and marriage and their closest friends had no idea they were secretly Catholic. Even when Catholic missionaries were welcomed back to Japan after Admiral Perry’s opening of Japan in 1854, these secret Catholics would not come out in the open.

Today’s gospel is a promise to all those who have kept the faith in secret, when they dared not share it with anyone. Their courage, integrity and fidelity will be honored on That Day when the Lord comes to judge the nations.