The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
Have you ever heard "Don't tell Mom and Dad" when you were younger? Secrets were the currency of my childhood. We told a few people and didn't want anyone else to know. As we matured through the years secrets became almost obsolete. Secrets can sometimes get you out of an awkward situation, but secrets can also keep us from true relationships.
And then it happened. At 19, I was in my freshman year of college and I had an unexpected heart attack. It was scary. I was wrecked. I was uncertain. I thought I had been defeated. And I didn’t want anyone else to know.
Looking back at all of the doctor visits, procedures, and blood work my life wouldn’t be the same without it. In fact, looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. I learned to rejoice to the extent that I can share in the sufferings with Christ on his cross. — Death looked at me and I smiled back.
In college, I was the fun guy who was always happy and made sure to make everyone else smile. Of course, I can’t let anyone know about this! People will look at me differently. They might see me as weak and broken. I didn’t want to look like a mess... I was at home during my heart attack and school wasn’t in full swing yet. I thought that I could just let this slide under the radar.
Looking at the gospel today, Matthew is saying otherwise. I have a story, a light, and I can choose to do one of two things with it: I can either share my story and glorify God with it, or hide it away. But what good does it do if I hide my biggest story? I would never be truly honest with the people I talk to. I’m giving people a taste of what isn't myself. I have been prohibiting myself from pursuing authentic relationships with others and with God. I was afraid of my story for a number of reasons and possible consequences of my openness, and so too can that lead me into being dishonest with God.
God gave us this one life to live. He gives us a voice and our own unique stories, and with that, He gives us the opportunity to share our testimonies with the world. He calls us to be witnesses and to testify to the light. Your story, and mine, deserve to be heard. What are you going to do with it? Hide and keep it a secret? Or share it with the world? God gave us our gifts to be a light to others. Let us take these words from today’s gospel and raise up our gifts and stories to show the world that we have not been defeated. We shine on.
Jacob Bentzinger hails from the City of Oz and has been working behind the camera commercially since 2016 and has been shooting for the Church since 2018. A lot of Jacob’s time can be found behind a camera, or next to a cup of coffee...But not just any coffee - an iced americano. You can find him on Instagram or check out his website.