For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible

23 SEPTEMBER (Lk 8,16-18)

The lamp is the Word of the Lord. The Word of the Lord is Light as God is Light, truth as God is truth. God gives himself in his Word so that man can always walk from light to light, from truth to truth.
Man becomes light if he walks in God who is Light. God is the light of the lamp of man. However, this light that is God has to be drawn moment by moment.

For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness. For by You I can run upon a troop; And by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God, The God who girds me with strength And makes my way blameless? He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, And sets me upon my high places. He trains my hands for battle, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great. You enlarge my steps under me, And my feet have not slipped (Psalm 18 (17) 29-37).

God is the light of the lamp of man through his Word and his Commandments.

O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path (Psalm 118 (117) 97-105).

True light of truth, justice, prudence, wisdom and temperance for man is also the word of the father that lives with light and walks from truth to truth.

Observe, my son, your father’s bidding, and reject not your mother’s teaching; Keep them fastened over your heart always, put them around your neck; For the bidding is a lamp, and the teaching a light, and a way to life are the reproofs of discipline; To keep you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress (Pr 6,20-24).

Lamp is also the justice of man. The just man is a light for his brothers.

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, Until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch. Nations shall behold your vindication, and all kings your glory; You shall be called by a new name pronounced by the mouth of the Lord. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem held by your God. No more shall men call you “Forsaken,” or your land “Desolate,” But you shall be called “My Delight,” and your land “Espoused.” For the Lord delights in you, and makes your land his spouse. As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; And as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you (Is 62,1-5).

The Christian became in Christ true lamp of truth, justice, hope and charity. Jesus teaches his disciples that this lamp cannot be turned off, hidden, placed under a bushel, or under the bed. If one is a true Christian, he will always be visibly, by reason of his works that cannot be hidden.

“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

Only the Christian who is not a Christian can hide. Never might the Christian who is a Christian, always acting as a true Christian, hide. It is enough his no to a temptation so that he reveals all his truth. The same is valid also for all the works of his life.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints make us true disciples of Jesus.