Gospel (Lk 12:1-7)

In the meantime, when so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they trod upon one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Commentary

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” Our Lord is looking for people who are striving to be consistent in their life, who are seeking a true unity of life.

Jesus’ words are reminiscent of the praise he gave to Nathanael when Philip brought his friend to him: “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” (Jn 1:47)

Our Lord helps those listening to him and also us to always walk facing God: “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”

Jesus expects from us the simplicity of children who realize their father is watching over them and that therefore there is nothing to fear.

As Saint Josemaría wrote in The Way: “We need to be convinced that God is always near us. We live as though he were far away, in the heavens high above, and we forget that he is also continually by our side. He is there like a loving Father. He loves each one of us more than all the mothers in the world can love their children – helping us, inspiring us, blessing... and forgiving.

“How often we have misbehaved and then cleared the frowns from our parents’ brows, telling them: I won’t do it any more! That same day, perhaps, we fall again... And our father, with feigned harshness in his voice and serious face, reprimands us, while in his heart he is moved, realizing our weakness and thinking: poor child, how hard he tries to behave well!

“We have to be filled, to be imbued with the realization that God, who is close beside us and in heaven, is our Father and very much our Father.”^[1]

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?. . . Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

We have to walk before God with this simplicity, not being deceived when the devil tries to lead us down the path of hypocrisy, fear and dissimulation when we fail to do things well.

^[1] Saint Josemaria, The Way, no. 267.