Share the Secret
There is a saying that really disturbs me. People say, “The Orthodox Church is the best kept secret.” If this is true, it is quite unfortunate. A secret is something that should be kept private. The Church is the Body of Christ and has come for all. It is time to share the secret.
The Lord said, “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light. Take heed then how you hear; for to him who has will more be given, and from him who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him for the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Luke 8:16-21
Keeping the Church a secret is the same as hiding your light. The Church is the Body of Christ. Christ is the Light of the world. Nobody hides the light but shares it for all to see. See what? We share the light for others to see there is a better way to live than what the world has to offer.
Imagine a world free from judgement. Imagine a world free from human trafficking and sexual immorality. Violence, greed, and power struggles are all what the world has to offer. Christ has something better.
- Judge not, that you be not judged. (Matthew 7.1)
- Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. (1st Corinthians 6.13)
- Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8.36)
- But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. (Matthew 5.39)
- Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10.8)
- Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. (Mark 10.43)
Christ has a better way to deal with all the painful realities of the world. We just need to share the secret with everyone. We must put the Church on a ‘lampstand’ for all to see. If we do not, consider what Christ warns in today’s Gospel lesson. “Even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
Next week the Church will begin another season. The ‘Fifteen Days of August’ are dedicated to honoring the Most Holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Most Orthodox Churches will have services every evening for two weeks. It is the perfect opportunity to put today’s reading into practice.
First, plan to be in Church every night. Second, share the secret and invite a friend or two to come to Church with. This requires planning and preparation. If your friend has never attended an Orthodox service before, let them know what to expect.
You should be warned. When you invite friends to Church, you are also sharing YOUR light, YOUR ignorance, YOUR shortcomings. Be prepared to be vulnerable. The Light shines on good and not so good. Your friend will see your Church and your faith for what it is. It is human with all its weaknesses. That is ok. Just be ready to share. The Light will take care of the rest if you come in faith.
Get an early start and share this post with your friends.
