- 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Romans 5:12-15; Psalms 68; Matthew 10:26-33.
The readings of this Sunday invite us to replace fear with trust in the loving presence of God. The prophet Jeremiah (20:10–13) speaks from the midst of rejection, opposition, and suffering, yet he is able to proclaim with confidence: “The Lord is at my side.” His circumstances have not changed, but his certainty about God’s presence gives him the strength to continue and to sing praise even in difficulty. The Psalm reminds us that the Lord listens to the needy and never abandons those who seek Him. In the Letter to the Romans (5:12–15), Saint Paul reveals the deepest reason for our hope: through Jesus Christ, grace has entered the world as an abundant and freely given gift, overcoming the power of sin and opening the way to new life. God has not left humanity trapped in fear and brokenness; He has acted decisively through Christ to save and restore us. Therefore, in the Gospel (Matthew 10:26–33), Jesus repeats three times: “Do not be afraid.” We are precious in the eyes of God. Every hair on our head has been counted, and nothing in our lives escapes the loving attention of the Father. Christian courage does not come from self-confidence, but from the certainty that God knows us, loves us, and remains with us in every circumstance. Because we are held in His loving care, we do not need to be afraid to live for the Lord, to witness to our faith, or to entrust our future into His hands. Let’s reflect: When fear, uncertainty, or opposition arise, do I trust that the Lord is at my side, that His grace is sufficient for me, and that I am so precious to Him that even the hairs of my head are counted?
Don Gioegio