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HIDDEN SECRETS COMING TO LIGHT (MARK 4:21-25)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Hidden secrets coming to light”. Hidden secret coming to light” means that clandestine deeds will be eventually exposed. We shall reflect on the fact that as disciples of the Lord, we must eschew hypocrisy and rather demonstrate integrity and honesty in our thoughts and actions as lights of the world.

Beloved in the Lord, hypocrisy must not be found among us for the day of reckoning or accountability will come when our true colours shall be exposed. It is, for this reason, that Jesus admonished us, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? ²² For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Mark 4:21-23). As true disciples of Christ, we are required to reflect the perfect image of Christ in us through our thoughts and actions. We cannot appear holy or righteous in public yet secretly steal state funds, embezzle company funds, cheat on our spouses and engage in all manner of sexual immorality. We must be careful of projecting a false image of ourselves because a day is coming when we shall be exposed. Jesus was Himself the Light of the world therefore wherever He went He exposed hypocrisy. He said to the teachers of the law and Pharisees, ““Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. ²⁸ In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (Matthew 23:27-28). It is impossible to hide our thoughts and deeds from the Lord because He said to Jeremiah “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, (Jeremiah 1:5). Again the Psalmist remind us that “The LORD knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.” (Psalms 94:11). Dear friend to demonstrate that Jesus knows our thoughts and secret deeds, “When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” ⁴⁸ “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” ⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” (John 1:47-49)

Beloved in the Lord, like lamps or light of the world, let us shine to project the perfect image of Jesus everywhere we find ourselves. Let us live a life of integrity and honesty in our marriages and at our workplaces and homes. In other words, let us show the world our true colours of righteousness, integrity, honesty and faithfulness. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to shine through us so that we shall bear the fruits of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). Again, Jesus greatly admonished us, ““You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16). Adam and Eve, Cain, and David thought they were sinning in secret yet their sins were exposed because God is Omniscient and Omnipresent. Let us live a God-conscious life knowing that we worship an Omniscient and Omnipresent God who knows our thoughts and deeds even when it is hidden from other human beings.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme, “Hidden secrets coming to light” We have discovered that as disciples of the Lord, we must eschew hypocrisy and rather demonstrate integrity and honesty in our thoughts and actions as lights of the world.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, guide our thoughts and actions and enable us to always be the light of the world. Purge us of hypocrisy and fill us with the desire to always show our true colours as children of the light. May we live according to the teachings and perfect examples of our Lord Jesus Christ wherever we find ourselves. Amen.