Walk in the Light!

Fear Him who has power over heaven, hell and earth.

12 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be[a] on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.-Luke12:1-7

For me, the Gospel reading is divided into three parts: secrets will be made known one way or another, fear of God, and to be fearless because we are with God.

Secrets will be made known one way or another. If we do good things in secret, such as being an anonymous benefactor of a charity, these acts will be made known eventually. Maybe a common friend or the beneficiaries themselves will spill the beans. Sometimes we are surprised to know that unlikely persons are benefactors of a promising athlete, a promising scientist, or of orphanages. When these acts are exposed, it brings happiness to the generous person as well as to the persons surrounding him/her.

But woe to the one who does wicked things in secret for it will be made known, and what terrible shame it will give to the one who commits it as well as to the people close to him/her. So many politicians and supposed "well-meaning" persons are put to shame and incarceration for secretly stealing from the country's treasury. So many pretentious and vile persons are imprisoned for doing things that destroy people's lives.

Fear of God. With all the atrocities we hear everyday, sometimes we just can't help but ask, "Where is God?" or "Why is there so much evil in the world?"

Those who do evil things did those vile acts without actually thinking of the ramifications of their actions. While others believe that they can get away with it anyway since they have money and power. But, one way or another, God knows how to make things right. If it will not be in this world, then it will definitely be in another 'world' in another time. If justice is not served now, it will be later on. Yes, there is hell. If some people celebrate "hell" here, it is not and never close to reality. As one mystic said, "What horror! Indescribable pain and such a horrific place!"

The Gospel reading may be a bit "dark" but Jesus' words are meant to strengthen us. We should not be afraid if what we do is according to God's plan and will. We have nothing to fear if God is by our side. We should cast away our evil inclinations. We should strive to walk in the light, that is according to the ways of Jesus.

Photo courtesy: Dante's Inferno, Alan Sherwood (Dante's Inferno), Platinum Hospital, unknown artist