25 June, Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Gospel Mt 10:26-33

Jesus said to the Twelve:

"Fear no one.

Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,

nor secret that will not be known.

What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;

what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;

rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy

both soul and body in Gehenna.

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?

Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.

Even all the hairs of your head are counted.

So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Everyone who acknowledges me before others

I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.

But whoever denies me before others,

I will deny before my heavenly Father."

Reflections

The context of the Gospel is that Jesus has been instructing His apostles what to expect as they go out into the world and preach the gospel of the kingdom. Jesus had told them; they would be hated by all because they represent Jesus and they would be persecuted. As one would naturally expect from such an outlook, the disciples must have felt a measure of fear, knowing that these things would await them.

The threat of violence and death are real concerns for the disciples, but no longer the determining force in their lives, for the one who has ultimate power over our whole being exercises that power with mercy and love.

How fearless am I in bearing witness to Jesus?

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