No Longer Veiled
St. Paul writes that whenever Moses (meaning the Old Testament or the Torah) is read, a veil lies over hearts of the listeners. We might say the same thing today. People listening to the readings at mass, are they hearing with the ears of their hearts, or is there a veil where they cannot hear or can choose not to hear? It prompts us to ask the question why do not all people respond to Jesus? Just as in Jesus’ day, not everyone responded to His call. Many turned away and many wished to have Him killed. How can we change their hearts? Well, we cannot. God is who will change their hearts. We are to offer prayers and let the light of God shine through the veil that is covering their hearts and minds.
The veil reminds us of the veil Moses wore after he talked to God. The face of Moses would be so brilliant that he would frighten the other people, so he wore a veil. A reminder, the light of Christ is intense, it can break through any veil, any barrier. There is another thought about the veil. At the resurrection we read that the veil, the cloth that covered the face of Jesus during His death, was neatly rolled up and placed at the head of the stone where He lay. I wonder if this is His way of demonstrating that the veil of human flesh no longer covers His divinity. He now has a glorified body that needs no covering, no veil. Meaning for all of us, we, too, will one day have a glorified body. But for now, we are to let the light of Christ shine in all we do.
Taking the gospel message to heart, we should not only be aware of how our actions reflect our Catholic faith, but we should also consider the faith of our brothers and sisters, helping them to understand Christ’s message. Helping them to remove the veil of doubt or disbelief but come to believe.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen