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LINK TO SCRIPTURE READINGS
Jesus said to the Twelve:
"Fear no one.
Nothing is hidden 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 rooftops.
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 penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are numbered,
so do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."
Matt 10:26-33
Courage in the face of persecution is the theme of today's Gospel, but Jesus is not referring to persecution in general; rather, his words are directed at his disciples and the price they will pay for proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom. Loosely paraphrased, his message is "Do not be afraid; you are seen, known, and lovingly held by God."
The theme is introduced in our first reading. Jeremiah proclaims God's word, urging the people of Judah to repent, warning them of the coming Babylonian Captivity, and cautioning them against entrusting themselves to false prophets. So unpopular is his message that he is shunned, beaten, put in the stocks, stoned, thrown down a cistern, and accused of treason. Despite his suffering, he remains faithful to his calling, praising God as his "mighty champion." The Responsorial Psalm echoes this theme, stressing God's love for those whose zeal for "God's house" has brought them suffering. But the disciples' mission goes beyond prophesying disaster, urging repentance, and bearing insults; they are to proclaim the very teachings about the Kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed. Moreover, they are to testify that he is the Son of Man (cf. LK 12:8-9).
The call to Christian discipleship is not a call to Easy Street. To proclaim the Kingdom of God and bear witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ can cause divisions in households, discomfort in the workplace, and disadvantage when it comes to finances, professional advancement, and security. Lifestyle choices, parenting decisions, and workplace ethics grounded in Gospel values can set one apart from neighbors and colleagues. Similarly, confronting unjust systems and individuals may lead to costly consequences. In some countries, simply being a Christian can lead to arrest, torture, and even death. Interestingly, The Gospel According to Matthew (80-90 C.E.) was written at a time when the followers of Jesus were being excluded from synagogues and coming into conflict with Jewish leaders. Persecution was already a reality for the fledgling Christian community.
Given the hazards that can accompany Christian discipleship, it is little wonder that fear can be a stumbling block. Fear clouds our judgment, prompts us to compromise our values, and prevents us from taking action. It can lead us to follow the crowd, accept "fake news," and abandon integrity. It can pressure us to ignore what we truly believe, to say what others expect us to say, and to remain silent when our words could make a difference.
"Do not be afraid," says Jesus. "You are worth more than many sparrows."
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RESOURCES
Spiritual Self-Assessment:
https://assess.coach/eastewart/
Ministry Team Assessment: https://assess.coach/embracingpossibility
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