The Word becomes flesh and dwells among us. The Word is spoken, becomes a flame in our hearts. The flame shines through our actions to the world. We become an extension of Lord's incarnation, who continues to dwell within and among us.
Those who have not will lose what little they think they have.
The Word of God printed on the page is no more than ink on paper. I'm not suggesting that we not treat Bibles and other sacred books with reverence. What I am saying is that the Word is meant to be proclaimed. It is meant to be shouted from the house tops. Yes, the Scriptures can be read privately (thank you Gutenberg for making that a viable option for the masses). The Word is most effectively transmitted, though, when it is proclaimed publicly, as it was in the beginning. It goes from being inanimate markings on paper to a living wave that pushes air, vibrates ear drums and moves hearts to action (or not).
We believe the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus is the divine presence breaking through the veil that separates time from eternity. He asks us to allow Him to live in our hearts. He is now seated at the right hand of the Father, but he continues His presence in the world through those who let their faith be a flame in their hearts, guiding their actions.
Yes, of course, Jesus is present in the Eucharist, but I am not writing of that presence right now.
What I am writing about is the presence of Christ in the Word proclaimed and in the assembly that gathers in His name. That assembly is not called to simply gather once a week to partake in the other two forms of Jesus' presence among us, like some self referential "in crowd." It is meant to go out, lamps lit, proclaiming the Kingdom by our holiness of life. We are called to transform to become that which we hear and consume. We are meant to be like John the Baptist, whose ego grows smaller so that Christ may grow bigger with our hearts.
This is not an easy thing. It takes a lifetime. But we mustn't let the length of the journey deter us. Start with one step today. Keep on adding steps as the days, weeks and years go on, and you'll be surprised how far you go.
As for the last italicized phrase, I've consulted a few commentaries but haven't found anything. The words of Jesus there still sting me. I think what He's saying is that if we do not allow the Lord to be the light that shines our path, or allow Him to the the treasure our hearts cherish above all else, we will follow other, lesser lights. We will make other things or ideologies our treasure. If Christ is not our light, we will end in darkness. Money, property, possessions all fade eventually. A dollar today is worth fifty cents next year. We die and the kids, after fighting over the inheritance, squander it, if we haven't managed that trick in our lifetime. Ideologies are just ego worship by another name; you're either bowing down to another or, worse, to yourself. The worst are those who bow to an idea they value more than people. If the idea doesn't work in practice, the problem obviously is that others haven't implemented it correctly. A cycle of failure after failure follows, sometimes with a body count beyond reckoning.
In the end, you will lose what little you think you have. To paraphrase a wise man I once knew, in eternity Nietzsche is as obedient as Ignatius of Loyola, Howard Hughes is as poor as Francis of Assisi and Marilyn Monroe as chaste as Maria Goretti. I make no judgment obviously, on the present state of the souls of the three worldly figures. I do know they all lost what is commonly thought of as their respective "treasures" when they died. How pitiable if that was all they had.
Christ offers us something greater. A treasure that endures to eternal life. Allow Him to be your light; He will lead you to the treasure.
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