Word to the Wise
Saturday, July 12, 2025 - Saturday in the 14th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 49:29-32; 50:15-26a and Matt 10:24-33]"Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. " [Matthew]
One of the most frequent, if not THE most frequent messages from God in the Bible is: "Be not afraid!" The context for that message varies. Today that context is what scripture scholars have called a "missionary discourse" - teaching to the disciples about their mission to proclaim the Kingdom of heaven. One of the biggest obstacles to that proclamation is FEAR! Since Matthew has been describing the persecution already being experienced by the disciples, it is natural to address the feelings that persecution can cause. The disciples are assured that their place in the Kingdom will be secure if they conquer their fear of persecution. The colorful example of the sparrows and the hairs on one's head speak to the all-encompassing quality of God's providence.
So, what are OUR fears of proclaiming the Good News? Do we take refuge in the saying, "I don't discuss religion and politics?" Is our faith "proclaimed" only when we go to church? Are we afraid to speak out when political actions by lawgivers or other authorities clearly violate what we know of Jesus' teachings? Are we afraid of political or social "retribution," a term we are hearing often in current affairs?
When Jesus was arrested and executed, the disciples ran away and hunkered down in fear of the same fate. It took the action of the Holy Spirit to galvanize them to move beyond their fears. We have received that same Holy Spirit. What are OUR fears? AMEN