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12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: Jeremiah 20:10-13 II: Romans 5:12-15

Gospel
Matthew 10:26-33

²⁶ "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops.
²⁸ And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will.
³⁰ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
³¹ Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
³² So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven;
³³ but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Interesting Details

(vv.26-27) In the Jewish society of those days, with so many social interactions and so much emphasis on honor, secrecy was very important to protect personal and family honor. Honor means how people judge you. Jesus changed this around in verses 32-34: Honor means how God judges you. With that new meaning, secrecy is no longer so important.
(v.28) Fear God's power, not human beings'.
(vv.29-30) God takes care of the smallest things, so we need not worry.

One Main Point

Do not be afraid. Jesus repeated that 3 times. We need not fear mere human beings. We should fear God alone.

Reflections

Examine my fears. What are they? What do I have to hide, and from whom?
What is the worst possible case when everyone knows my bad secrets?
Ask Jesus to explain what he means to me when he repeatedly says "do not be afraid."
Do I experience new freedom in God's honor rather than human beings'?