12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
25th June 2023 (Sunday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 4
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13
Jeremiah said: I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! “Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” say all my close friends, watching for my fall. “Perhaps he will be deceived; then we can overcome him and take our revenge on him.” But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonour will never be forgotten. O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause. Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.
Psalm 69:8-10, 14 and 17, 33-35 (R. 14c)
R/. In your great mercy, answer me, O Lord.
Second Reading: Romans 5:12-15
Brethren: Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. The Spirit of truth will bear witness about me, says the Lord; you also will bear witness.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Matthew 10:26-33
At that time: Jesus said to his apostles, “Have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 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. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Highlight: No fear when God is near!
Indicative: Difficulties and afflictions will never leave us, especially when we are on God's mission and good mission. The whole difference is whether we go ahead with fear or without fear{alertSuccess}
1. No one's life is free from problems and adverse situations. So it will be unrealistic and foolish to wish and expect a total absence of any difficulty and displeasure.
2. All the more, when one is convinced and committed, determined and dedicated concerning God's work and good work, when one sincerely tries to live a life in tune with God's will and for others' good, surely one will face opposing forces and discouraging experiences.
3. The life of Jeremiah is a vivid instance of this suffering on behalf of God and good. Jesus too never hides this fact from his followers. He is quite aware of their plight for his sake. He also understands that such opposing forces frighten them and can dispirit them from their focus and striving in fulfilling their task.
4. That is why, in the first place, Jesus encourages them, instilling in them new courage and hope. He exhorts them: Fear not; Do not be afraid.
5. But why? Because God Himself will be their strength and shield. Because He is more powerful than all other forces ("which can kill only body and not body and soul"; "Sin abounds but grace super-abounds").
6. Because He has complete control and sway over all the situations, everyone and everything. Because, God values us so much; we are precious in His sight ("You are far more worth than the sparrows, of which also God takes care even if they are so small and insignificant; Even your hair is counted and guarded"); He cares for us and takes care of us.
7. Because, He feels a special and singular love and duty toward the humble, those who trust in Him and rely on Him, to go to their rescue.
8. Therefore, in the case and face of suffering and struggle in our way of living God's ways, the fundamental spirit should be, not fear, discouragement and giving up. Rather it should be a spirit of total trust in God and surrender to Him.
9. We need not bother much about how to tackle the adversaries or how to attack the adversities, how to defeat them or how to overpower them or how to strike them down.
10. Instead, all our concern must be to place our complete trust in God; not to feel intimidated or sceptical or shaken. It is to "entrust our cause" to God, to totally abandon our case to Him.
11. This is what Jeremiah did. Humanly speaking, it was a situation of the height of misery: totally misunderstood, blamed and persecuted; abandoned to the extent of being killed. But what a spirit of fortitude and abandonment to God's holy intervention! He does not want to fight the battle against his opponents. Rather, He submits his case to God.
12. It is this spirit of trust and entrustment, courage and perseverance, loyalty and unswerving commitment that is diminishing in many a disciple today.
13. A good number, first of all, are not clear and focused, they are not convinced and resolved; they are not courageous and steadfast; they are not loyal and committed.
14. Let us muster up our confidence and courage, our resolve and strength from the Lord, from the example of Jeremiah, Paul and the Lord himself.
Practice: Let our special prayer be, to deepen our love for God and trust in Him. For love dispels fear and trust dissolves doubt, uncertainty and wavering {alertSuccess}