12th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)

Sunday 25 June 2023
Matt 10:26-33

“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.”
(Matthew 10:26-33)

The tenth chapter of Matthew records the discussion between Jesus and his disciples. He tells them to be on their guard against difficulties that they could encounter on their mission. In fact, the Master explains that, although their preaching is orientated to personal salvation and their well-being, they won’t always be welcomed and accepted by everyone. Jesus doesn’t want to mislead them, and he affirms, “they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!” (Matt 10:25b). Actually, later in Matthew (chapter 12, verse 24) the Pharisees argue that “it is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons”. In short, those opposing him see Jesus as affiliated with the devil and not as the Saviour who has come to free people from the devil’s garments of slavery.

There was, is, and always will be a tremendous spiritual battle between the mentality of the Kingdom of God and the mentality of the world. To live and bear witness to the Gospel has never been easy. On the contrary, to tell you the truth, it is impossible without the grace of the Holy Spirit “who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil 2:13). So, what do we do? The Master gives us His suggestion: do not be afraid! The verb used for ‘having fear’ here is fobèo, which literally means to ‘run scared’. It is a concrete reaction to being frightened or in a state of panic, and as a result we run away. The same verb can also have a positive meaning, though: when we turn to the Law or to God Himself, precisely arousing holy fear, meaning approaching the Law or God with profound respect. So there are two options: running away scared or having the courage to trust.

Regarding this, how could we forget the famous quote from Martin Luther King Jr? “One day fear knocked on the door. Courage got up and opened it to see no one standing outside”.

In the same way, then, certain of the authority and the victory of our Lord, we shouldn’t run away either. Let’s open that door, announcing salvation in Jesus with full trust and courage.

Fr. Giuseppe