Matthew 10, 26-33:
Sunday, 25th June 2023 (12th O T A)
“Jesus said to his apostles, ‘Do not be afraid of people… Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. No; fear those who can destroy soul and body with fire… If anyone takes my part before others, I will also take their part before my Father in heaven”.
Jesus never told us that being his disciples would be easy and pleasant, but on the contrary, he foresaw difficulties. If he had them with the religious and civil authorities, his followers could not be exempt from them: “Blessed are you when they insult you, slander you and persecute you for my sake…”.
Being faithful disciples in the midst of this society, of this world, has its difficulties. The prophets (Jeremiah in the first reading), the apostles, the first Christian communities suffered persecution and martyrdom, like Jesus. The trials and difficulties of life should not frighten us, whether they come from within ourselves or from outside. The message and life of Jesus and his followers clashes with the interests and values of the world we live in.
In the face of all this today Jesus repeats to us: “do not be afraid”. He is with us, on our side. That is why we need to put our trust in him. More in him and less in ourselves. Without tiring, without being ashamed to proclaim and live what we believe. Faced with a society that seems to be increasingly deaf and blind to Christian values, we must proclaim the good news with a louder voice and a more credible life.
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
Do you trust in Him?
