Jesus’ lesson on transparency and honesty.

Gospel LK 8:16-18   Jesus said to the crowd: "No one who lights a lamp hides it under a container or puts it under a bed; rather, she places it on a nightstand so that those who arrive maybe guided by the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to the light.

LK 8:1-3         Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and announcing the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, the Twelve and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

MT 9:9-13    As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" He heard this and said, "Those who are healthy do not need a doctor, but the sick do. Go and study the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the honest but sinners." 

LK 2:33-35    Jesus' father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Watch, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will penetrate so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed

Gospel JN 3:13-17   Jesus said to Nicodemus: "No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."  For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Gospel MT 18:15-20    Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you free on earth shall be freed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which you are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Gospel LK 6:1-5   While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a Sabbath, his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. Some Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering, which only the priests could lawfully eat, ate of it, and shared it with his companions?" Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath."

MT 1:18-23                      The angel of the Lord appeared and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us."

MT 16:21-27  Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take MT 16:21-27  Then Jesus said to his disciples, "whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?  Or what can one give in exchange for his life?  For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct."