June 25, 2023: Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33

Jesus said to the Twelve: “Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

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 more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

Reflection

What a beautiful passage that relates how Jesus, during his earthly ministry, tried so hard to help his followers know the love that God, his Abba, has for us and for all of creation. That love just seems to ooze out of portions of this passage. I was touched particularly, by Jesus words to speak in the light what he speaks in the darkness.

Those words are often words of encouragement. I delight to believe that Jesus is so close to me that I can hear his whispers. But to hear what is spoken to me so intimately requires me to be quiet enough to listen! This passage also asks us to let go of the fear that can sometimes bind us from risking action.

Action

Perhaps this week we can learn to take those sacred pauses that allow us to listen to the whispers of God in our hearts, as well as to the voices of today’s prophets in our world.