The Mystery Hidden in the Ordinary
January 30, 2025 - Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 4:21-25
One does not need a college education to answer Jesus’ question about where a lamp should be placed: under a bed or on a lampstand. But we need to ask why Jesus poses such a question. What or who is the lamp being referred to? In the Gospel of John, we hear Jesus say, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), and St. Paul clarifies that the Gospel about Jesus Christ enlightens our darkness (2 Cor. 4:6).
And yet, not everyone saw it that way. The mystery of Christ was hidden in His humanity, and the message of God’s kingdom was veiled within His parables. One had to spend time with Jesus to discover that He was the Son of God and reflect deeply upon His teachings to grasp their hidden meaning. Unfortunately, not many were willing to do that. The crowds came to Jesus preoccupied with their own needs, and the religious leaders approached Him with the intent of finding faults. How about today?
Today, the mystery of Christ and His message of God’s kingdom remain hidden within the Church. For many, the Church is seen merely as an institution. They come to it when they need something – to baptize their children, enroll them in Catholic schools, or get married. Others focus on scrutinizing its teachings or exposing the moral failings of some of its members. But those who invest time in the Church, seeking more than its outward appearance, slowly discover a deeper truth: behind the face of an institution lies the beautiful face of Christ’s bride. The Church possesses treasures of God’s grace – the sacraments and God’s Word – hidden within an earthen vessel.
Paradoxically, those who dig deeper into the mystery of Christ revealed through the Church constantly uncover new treasures. On the other hand, those who settle for a superficial understanding often drift away from Him and His Church. This is the reason behind Jesus’ promise and warning: “Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” (Mark 4:25).
Learning Christ and His Church is a lifelong journey. The deeper we go, the more we discover. The moment we stop, however, we risk losing even the little we have. Consider the story of a man who began attending daily Mass simply to accompany his spouse. Initially indifferent, he gradually found himself drawn into the mystery of the Eucharist and the beauty of Scripture proclaimed at Mass. Over time, his faith transformed, and he became a devoted disciple. Such is the power of persistence in uncovering the treasures of Christ.
Jesus’ question about the lamp invites us to consider our approach to faith. Are we content to leave the lamp of Christ’s light hidden under the bed of indifference or cynicism? Or will we place it on the lampstand of our lives, allowing it to illuminate the darkness around us? The mystery of Christ is indeed hidden in the ordinary – in the Church, in the sacraments, and in daily encounters. But for those willing to seek, it holds treasures beyond imagination.