Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Growing up with 3 siblings, I always dreaded hearing the words, “Oooh, I’m telling!” If you grew up with siblings, you know that nothing good ever came after hearing those words. Well, at least for me anyway. I always thought that siblings usually used this phrase with the intent to get you in trouble, even if you didn’t do any anything worth getting in trouble for – or did you? After the situation sinks in and you realize that you actually did something wrong, your first instinct was usually to do everything in your power to cover up your mistake. Because, let’s face it, who likes getting in trouble with their parents? When the dust settles and you’re sitting there, waiting for your punishment to be handed to you, you probably start to feel uneasy and guilty about what you did wrong. We can usually tell when we’ve done something wrong, even if it’s hard to admit. There’s always a small voice inside of us, telling us to do the right thing and own up to our mistakes.
In this week’s Gospel, I feel Jesus imparting two messages to me. First, we hear Jesus say to His disciples, “Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.” This made me think about how we sometimes try to hide our sins in fear of being judged. Sometimes we don’t even want to go to God with our sins out of shame or embarrassment – but he already knows. Our conscience may bring those feelings of guilt up, and the Holy Spirit gives us the courage to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. God made us all to be loved, but sin turns us away from that love. Sin makes us feel unworthy of His love. But the truth is this: God loves us no matter how unworthy we may feel. Even when we sin over and over, He still loves us and will continue to love us. He only asks that we humble ourselves, admit our mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
The second message is all too fitting, with this Sunday being Father’s Day. My wife and I are expecting our first child at the end of July. Naturally, as I’m sure every dad can attest to, I want the best for my son. My biggest mission as a dad is to help lead my wife and children to heaven. Jesus tells us in the second part of the Gospel that anyone who acknowledges Him before others will be acknowledged before His heavenly Father. And anyone who denies Him before others will be denied before the heavenly Father. Hearing this helped me to remember that my faith should always be at the center of all that I do – including raising my family. So they know of the wonderful and abundant love that Jesus has for them. So that they know that God cares for them deeply and that He wants them to be filled with joy and peace, just like He wants for everyone.
We’re all called to do the same, whether it be our family or our friends. To admit our mistakes and confess them sincerely, and to spread the word of Jesus so we can help lead others to Heaven. Let’s all keep His love at the center of our hearts so that everyone can know the Love of Christ.
