THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday of 25^th week in ordinary time, 2021

Ezra 1:1-6

Ps 126

Luke 8:16-18

Andrew Kim Taegon and companions, Martyrs

Nothing is hidden

Dear friends in Christ, today we celebrate St Andrew Kim Taegon and companions, Martyrs of the Korean Church. Before the advent of missionaries on the Peninsular, many of them came to faith by their contact with Christian books. For refusing to give up the faith, many of them were martyred.

Our first reading today (Ezra 1:1-6) is on the return of the exiles from Babylon. In 587 BCE, the city of Jerusalem had fallen to the Babylonians, the Temple was destroyed and most people deported to Babylon. Fifty years later, the Babylonian Empire fell to the Persians. God is at work in the life of his people as the Persian King Cyrus allowed the return of the exiles to their homeland and commanded that they rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem signing an edict to that effect. Even if Cyrus did it for political reasons, for Ezra who was writing from the point of view of a faithful Jew, this becomes a second Exodus. In a miraculous way, God is using a pagan to set his people free and to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. How do you discern the hand of God in your own life? Even when the situation looks difficult, never give up, God can turn the plans of the enemy around for your good. Remain fervent in your faith even in times of difficulties, there’s light to illumine the night and the darkness of your life.

Today’s gospel (Luke 8:16-18) admonishes the followers of Jesus, to express the grace of God in them, by living up to their baptismal promises. Luke places this passage immediately after the Parable of the Sower perhaps to teach his listeners that the reasons for anyone’s unfruitfulness is not hidden from God. They are the light of the world and must live out their Christian values, in such a way that it will light the path for others to see. A Christian is warned not to live in the darkness of this world, because “Nothing is hidden that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.” Every disciple is called to become a witness to Jesus and this applies to us too. Do not live in the darkness of evil and the world. No matter what you do and how you plan to cover it up, there is someone who sees everything— from when the idea is conceived, to when it is actualised. So go out and light up the world with your faith. God is watching you.

Let us pray: Lord, make our light so shine before all, that they may see the good works you have moved us to do, and give glory to your name. Amen. 

+Remain blessed