THERE IS NO NEED TO BE AFRAID

XII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 10:26-33

Jeremiah was still very young when he heard God’s call to be a prophet. He tried some excuses (Jer 1:6), but they could not stand before God. Later in life, he would say that God seduced him and he fell for the sweetness of His word. However, faced with big challenges and living in very difficult times, he felt as if he had been wronged and deceived (Jer 20:7), but he would not betray his call and would not turn his back on God:

“If I say, “I will not mention him,

or speak any more in his name,”

there is in my heart as it were a burning fire

shut up in my bones,

and I am weary with holding it in,

and I cannot.” (Jer 20:9) 

When even his friends turned against him and watched for his downfall, Jeremiah put his trust in the Lord: 

“But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior;

therefore my persecutors will stumble.” (Jer 20:10-11).

Not only by his word but in his own life, Jeremiah was a prophecy of Jesus Christ. He suffered rejection at the hands of his people, but he put his trust in the Lord and remained faithful, speaking out fearlessly, denouncing the sins of his people and calling them back to God.

When Jesus entrusted his mission to the disciples, he made it clear that they would face opposition and rejection, but, in the middle of persecution, they should put their trust in God. Reassuring them, Jesus insisted: “Do not be afraid.” “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul”.

Faith cannot be reduced to the privacy of one’s heart or even one’s home. The Gospel of Jesus Christ must be proclaimed for all those who are willing to hear. Nowadays, there is a concerted effort to force Christian faith into hiding, avoiding or even prohibiting the display of Christian symbols in the public sphere. However, nothing will remain hidden forever and the light of the Lord will dispel all darkness. If we are afraid of speaking up for Christ and proclaim that he is the Lord, then he will not give testimony for us before the Father.

And Jesus repeats a third time: “So there is no need to be afraid”.