Summary
Highlights
Fr. Mike begins by discussing the human desire to be seen in a 'good light,' similar to how people prefer certain photos of themselves. This desire extends to our lives, where we want others to see the best in us. He then poses a central question: would you rather be admired or loved? Admiration is safe, allowing us to control what others see, while love requires being fully known, which is risky.
We are made for love, not admiration. The Bible speaks of the 'Day of the Lord' as a blazing light where all will be exposed. Jesus highlights that people often prefer darkness to light because their evil deeds are exposed. This preference for darkness is linked to hypocrisy, which Fr. Mike defines as preferring a good reputation over good character, being unwilling to truly be what we want to appear to be. He illustrates this with a story of a speaker whose unguarded comments were broadcast, revealing his true heart.
Fr. Mike explains the concept of the Last Judgment, where the full consequences of our choices, both good and bad, will be known. On this day, we will be fully known to God, to ourselves, and to each other. This might initially cause fear, but in heaven, there will be no pride and no shame. Our good deeds will be seen as God's grace, and our weaknesses and sins, once surrendered to God's mercy, will become testimonies to His goodness and power, highlighting His love.
Drawing from C.S. Lewis's 'The Great Divorce,' Fr. Mike illustrates how surrendering our flaws and sins to God's grace leads to transformation. He recounts the story of a man whose lust, represented by a lizard, was clinging to him. When he finally cried out for God's help, the lizard was destroyed, and both the man and the lizard were transformed – the man into a powerful being and the lizard into a magnificent stallion. This signifies that what once enslaved us, when surrendered, can become a source of glory and a testament to God's redemptive power.
To be truly loved, we must be fully known, not just seen in a 'good light.' This process of being fully known and loved can begin now through honest prayer and confession. By surrendering our weaknesses, embarrassments, and sins to Jesus, we allow Him to transform them. Fr. Mike concludes by reiterating the choice: would you rather be admired or loved? He encourages listeners to step into the light, be known as they are, and be loved fully, starting today.