THE CALL TO FEARLESS AND COURAGEOUS DISCIPLESHIP
First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 10-13
Second Reading: Romans 5: 12-15
Gospel Reading: Matthew 10: 26-33
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah expresses his anguish and pain to the Lord God. When surrounded by enemies and faced with terror from every side, he places his total trust in the Lord God. He is convinced that the Lord God is always on his side.
*Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul explains to the Christian community at Rome and us that sin and death came through Adam the first man. However, freedom and life come through Jesus the second Adam.
Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. Jesus assures His protection and asks His disciples to be fearless and courageous when faced with rejection and opposition. Jesus clarifies some important matters to His disciples: 1. The message of Jesus is not to be hidden but to be proclaimed publicly - 'on house tops'. 2. The disciples are not to be afraid of those who kill the body but rather be cautious of those who can kill the soul. 3. Even a tiny sparrow is under the protection of God. We are of more value than many sparrows. If so, we should realize that God is in control of our lives and nothing happens to us without His knowledge. 4. Those who openly acknowledge Jesus and His message will be acknowledged by the heavenly Father. Hence, fearless witnessing to Christ and His message makes us worthy of eternal reward. To respond to Jesus' invitation wholeheartedly needs great faith and confidence in the Lord. Jesus does not want His disciples to be members of a cowardly Church or a faithless community. He wants each one of us His followers to stand up and be counted for our faith in Him.
"My job seems to be to go around picking up insults and corpses." - St. Oscar Romero, late Archbishop of El Salvador
"I really fear that most of those who call themselves Christians would go on almost as they do, if they believed Christianity to be nothing more than a fable." - Bl. Cardinal Newman
"Keeping silent in the face of injustice is as DEADLY as the violence itself." - Jimmy Carter, Former President of USA
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