Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 449

Jesus said to the crowd:

"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel

or sets it under a bed;

rather, he places it on a lampstand

so that those who enter may see the light.

For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,

and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.

The promise of today's gospel -- that the hidden will be revealed -- seems fulfilled in our time. Your use of the Internet -- including your reading this blog -- broadcasts more personal information than most of us can comprehend, and certainly more than we would disclose to strangers. Even my search for the definition and correct spelling of crossword answers arouses hopes in certain quarters that I might be interested in apocatastasis and anemones.

But this gospel is meant to encourage not to threaten. What should be disclosed is the Good News that we believe in the Jesus Christ. This light shines in our conversations, our comings and goings, our work and rest, and even in our Internet surfing.

"Those who enter (our presence) may see the light."

Jesus adds, "Take care, then, how you hear." Privacy advocates urge us to be be careful of what you read or write in your social media. A New Yorker Magazine cartoon depicted a man scoffing at another fellow, "Oh? So you know more than the Internet?"

Our knowledge begins before we hear or see anything, with the Love of the Truth. This is a disposition as Saint Paul described in his Letter to the Philippians:

Finally, sisters and  brothers, whatever is true,

whatever is honorable,

whatever is just,

whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely,

whatever is gracious,

if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise,

think about these things.

This willingness and practice of thinking "about these things" disposes us to see more clearly. Nor is this a solitary practice. Saint Paul spoke to a congregation when he urged them to "think about these things." They should come together often and discuss how to handle various difficulties, both public and private. Is the Church being persecuted? How shall we handle this? Have my children abandoned the faith? What advice can I get from trustworthy, Christian counselors? Is my family in financial distress? What help can the Church offer with assistance and counsel?

This willingness to live within one's faith, to view problems and situations through the eyes of religion, will shine like a lamp in a dark place, like a city on a hill.

Without that holy disposition, we are helpless before The Blob of fake news which has overcome our politics, entertainment and social media.

No one can know the Truth who does not love God. They might have command of many facts but what the facts and theories finally mean and how we should respond -- that discernment belongs to the Lover of Truth.