Finding Jesus hidden within us

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday, Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 30 January 2025
Hebrews 10:19-23     ><}}}}*>  +  ><}}}}*>  +  ><}}}}*>     Mark 4:21-25

Many times, O Lord Jesus,
I feel you "hide" from me
not because you are avoiding me
but simply because you want me to
find you.
And be surprised 
because that is how it is
really with you and the Father
and the Holy Spirit: 
you want us
to experience that sense 
of awe and wonder 
of Jacob in Bethel 
when he dreamt of your stairway
to heaven that upon waking up,
he cried out in joy, "Truly, 
the Lord is in this spot, 
although I did not know it!"
(Genesis 28:16)

Many times in the gospel
you have asked those you have
healed not to say anything
about you to anyone but
the more they talk about you,
dear Jesus;
and this is what you are
telling us today,
that we cannot hide a shining light
or lamp;
any good will always shine
will always be known
and be seen.
And that is YOU,
Jesus.

When I examine my life,
I have experienced many instances
when you, Jesus, had broken
through the surface after being "hidden"
for a long time deep within me;
and what a joy until now 
especially when I am confused,
when I feel alone,
when I see nothing
but darkness,
that is actually when you are "hidden",
 waiting to reveal yourself
 in the simplest occasions,
giving me with "more"
even though I already have
received so much from you
just in finding you!

Grant me the grace, Jesus,
"to approach and seek you
with a sincere heart and in
absolute trust... let me hold
unwaveringly to our confession
that gives us hope for you are
trustworthy as I rouse one another
to love and good works"
(Hebrews 10:22, 23, 24).
Amen.