“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light” (Luke 8:16-17).
Disciples of Jesus Christ, our Savior, taught us with several images, like a lamp, either covered by a vessel or put it under a bed, or on a stand.
As I write this article, I ask you to discern where you place the light of the Good News of Jesus Christ. And, I add one question: will you share your story with Jesus Christ publicly, or keep it privately?
Throughout the centuries around our world, Christians and Catholics also discerned this same question and this same teaching from Jesus. Some decided to be quiet, while others proclaimed the truth of God.
One of the best examples of showing the light of God’s son, can be heard from St. Paul, who was one of the best evangelists in the world. Reread this passage:
· “So Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, “To an unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything. And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, for “In him we live and move and have our being”; as even some of your poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring’” (Acts 17:22-28).
Notice that St. Paul entered into the public scene with many people that believed in many gods. Rather than condemn them, he joined their world and found a connection between him and the general crowd. This allowed people, not to yell back to him, but a chance to speak his belief.
How, then, can you preach about Jesus, about God? Connect, connect, connect with your brothers and sisters, even if they believe something different in their beliefs! Through our history, the best evangelists soaked into a different culture, like St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta in India, Monsignor Joseph Buh with American Indians in northern Minnesota, or my friends that I know in Ghana, Africa where many have natural religion. These individuals (and many more) pray, serve, and show about our belief and the truth of God.
Go get ‘em family, not to hide our fidelity privately, but active publicly!
God Bless!
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