Catholic Homily for October 17, 2025
Stop Hiding Behind Masks
Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Luke 12:1–7
Be honest – how much of your day do you spend worrying about what other people think of you? How often do you pretend to be someone you’re not just to fit in or avoid problems?
We all have masks we wear and fears we carry. Some people are afraid of losing their job. Others are scared of being rejected. Many of us fear that if people knew what we were really like inside, they wouldn’t want to be around us.
Today, Jesus speaks directly to these fears, and Saint Ignatius of Antioch shows us what it looks like to live without masks.
Jesus starts with a warning about “the leaven of the Pharisees – hypocrisy.”
What is Leaven?
Leaven is like yeast – you add just a little bit to bread dough, and it spreads through the whole loaf, making it rise. Jesus is saying that hypocrisy works the same way – a little bit of fake behavior can spread and corrupt your whole life.
What is Hypocrisy?
Hypocrisy means pretending to be something you’re not, especially pretending to be more religious or moral than you really are.
The Pharisees’ problem: They looked incredibly holy on the outside, but inside they were full of pride, judgment, and selfishness.
Jesus gives us a reality check:
“Nothing covered will stay hidden. What you whisper in private will be proclaimed from the rooftops.”
What This Means:
- You can’t hide who you really are forever
- Secret sins and private attitudes eventually show
- The truth about our character comes out in how we treat people
This is Actually Good News:
Since we can’t hide anyway, we might as well be honest from the beginning. It’s much easier to be authentic than to maintain a fake image that will eventually crack.
Then Jesus says something that sounds scary at first:
“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Wait – Isn’t God Supposed to Be Loving?
Yes, God is completely loving! But Jesus is helping us get our fears in the right perspective.
What Jesus Means:
- Don’t be most afraid of people who can hurt your reputation, your career, or even your body
- Be most concerned about your relationship with God, who holds your eternal destiny
- If you’re right with God, everything else will work out
It’s Like This:
Imagine you’re a child, and you’re afraid your classmates will make fun of you. But your loving parent says, “Don’t worry about what they think – worry about what I think, because I’m the one who truly loves you and will take care of you.”
God isn’t threatening us – He’s reminding us where our security really comes from.
But God Cares About the Smallest Details
Right after talking about God’s power, Jesus says something beautiful:
“Even the hairs on your head are all numbered. You are worth more than many sparrows.”
What This Shows Us:
God Knows Everything About You:
- He knows exactly how many hairs are on your head
- He notices when even a small sparrow falls
- Nothing about your life is too small for Him to care about
You Are Incredibly Valuable:
- If God cares about sparrows, how much more does He care about you?
- You matter more than you can imagine
- Your life has meaning and purpose
Saint Ignatius: A Man Without Masks
Today we remember Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who became a bishop in the early Church around 70 AD. When he was arrested for being a Christian, he was sentenced to be thrown to wild animals in Rome.
How Ignatius Lived Jesus’ Teaching:
He Would Not Hide His Faith:
- Even when it meant certain death, he openly proclaimed that Jesus was Lord
- He refused to offer sacrifices to Roman gods to save his life
- He chose truth over safety
He Trusted the Father More Than the Crowd:
- He wasn’t controlled by what people thought
- He cared more about pleasing God than pleasing the emperor
- He found his identity in Christ, not in popular opinion
He Lost His Life and Found Christ:
- By being willing to die for his faith, he gained eternal life
- His courageous death became a powerful witness that helped the Church grow
- He chose temporary suffering over eternal separation from God
Three Characteristics of Authentic Faith
From Jesus’ teaching and Ignatius’ example, we see what real faith looks like:
1. Faith Without Concealment
- You don’t have to advertise your faith constantly
- But you also don’t hide it when it matters
- You’re the same person in public and in private
2. Courage Without Harshness
- You stand up for what’s right, but you do it with love
- You don’t compromise your values, but you don’t attack people who disagree
- You’re strong but not mean
3. Trust Without Calculation
- You don’t try to figure out all the angles before you obey God
- You trust that doing right will work out, even if you can’t see how
- You make decisions based on love, not just on what’s safest
Three Works for Today
Inspired by Jesus’ words and Ignatius’ example:
1. Unmask One Pretense Before God
- Admit to God one area where you’ve been pretending
- Stop trying to look more spiritual, successful, or happy than you really are
- Be honest about your struggles, fears, or failures
2. Choose One Truthful Act Over a Safe Image
- Do something that’s right but might make you look less impressive
- Admit a mistake instead of covering it up
- Stand up for someone even if it might cost you socially
3. Entrust One Concrete Fear to the Father in Prayer
- Name a specific thing you’re worried about
- Ask God to help you trust Him with this fear
- Remind yourself that God knows and cares about every detail of your life
Here’s what Jesus wants us to understand:
God Sees:
- He knows everything about you – the good and the bad
- You can’t hide from Him, so you might as well be honest
- He sees your heart, not just your performance
God Values:
- You are incredibly precious to Him
- Your worth doesn’t depend on what other people think
- Even when you mess up, you’re still His beloved child
God Keeps:
- He holds your life in His hands
- He won’t let anything truly harm you if you trust Him
- Your ultimate safety comes from Him, not from hiding behind masks
Remember this, God already knows everything about you and loves you completely. You don’t need to hide from Him or from others. The truth will set you free, and God’s love will keep you safe.
A Simple Prayer for Today
God, you see me completely – all my fears, all my pretenses, all my hopes. Help me to stop hiding behind masks and start trusting in your love. Like Saint Ignatius, give me the courage to live authentically, even when it’s risky. You know every hair on my head, so I know you care about everything that concerns me. Help me to fear you more than I fear people, and to rest in your perfect care. Amen.
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