Mark 4: 21-25
Jesus said to his disciples, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Always Watching
“Nothing is secret except what will come to light.” Mobile phones record everything. They listen to our conversations, people film our activities in public, and our movements are logged. Moreover, cameras stand on most street corners, and many are embedded in doorbells. More than ever, there is little sense that anything remains secret; the very idea of privacy is fading away.
While this new reality calls for social analysis and reflection on how we live and organize our society, it also beckons us to live our discipleship with integrity. We are called to let the light of Christ burst forth from us at all times, not only in moments when we consciously choose charity. After all, someone is always watching—most notably our Father in heaven.
—Rev. Paul J. Shelton, SJ, is the provincial assistant for vocations for the Midwest Jesuits. If you are interested in becoming a Jesuit or know a young man who would be a good Jesuit, please visit beajesuit.org.
Prayer
Be at peace.
Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life;
rather look to them with full hope as they arise.
God, whose very own you are, will deliver you from out of them.
He has kept you hitherto, and He will lead you safely through all things;
and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in his arms.
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today
will take care of you then and every day.
He will either shield you from suffering, or give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination.
—Prayer of St. Francis de Sales
Pray with the Pope
Pray with the monthly prayer intentions of the pope.