A CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP: BEING FEARLESS AND COURAGEOUS
Introduction: Today's liturgy speaks about witnessing to Christ in difficult and challenging situations. Jesus wants us to proclaim His message not in secret but from the roof tops. He assures us that if the heavenly Father cares for the sparrows (in-significant) of this world, how much more He cares for His children. We need not be afraid of any evil forces that try to prevent us from breaking His Word in the world around us. In the first reading too Prophet Jeremiah laments about the persecutions he has to suffer. People are after his life but he is not afraid to speak for the Lord because the Lord God is with him to protect and to guide him.
First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 10 to 13
Second Reading: Romans 5: 12 to 15
Gospel Reading: Matthew 10: 26 to 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 that sin and death came through Adam the first man. However, freedom and life came through Jesus the second Adam.
Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. Jesus encourages His disciples to be fearless and courageous when faced with rejection and opposition. He assures His divine protection to us. Jesus instructs the following: 1. The message of Jesus is not to be hidden but to be proclaimed openly: 'On the house tops.' 2. The disciples are not to be afraid of those who kill the body but rather be cautious of those who kill the soul. 3. Even a tiny sparrow is under the protection of God. We are of more value than many sparrows. We should realise 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 duly acknowledged and rewarded by the heavenly Father. Fearless witnessing to Christ and His message make us worthy of eternal reward. We need great faith and confidence in the Lord in order to respond to Jesus' invitation. In this context Blessed Cardinal Newman says: "I really fear that most of those who call themselves Christians would go on as they do, if they believed Christianity to be nothing more than a fable." And St. Oscar Romero says: "My job seems to be to go around picking up insults and corpses."
Conclusion: Jesus' invitation to be fearless witnesses to His message is for all times and for all peoples. In order to accept this challenge, we need faith, courage and radical commitment. Jesus does not want His disciples to be members of a cowardly Church or a faithless community. He wants each one of His followers to stand up and be counted for our faith in Him. We have to make this radical choice at some stage of our lives to live in truthfulness and to take the Gospel more seriously.
May the Lord Jesus, who challenges us to be faithful to His message and proclaim it boldly and faithfully, bless you and give you the strength to do it openly. Amen.
(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, June 21, 2026. Thanks.)
No comments:
Post a Comment