Twelfth Sunday Gospel  A

Jesus said: "Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 

· Jesus tells us not to be afraid in times of persecution or rejection because of our loyalty to him.  When were the times I was afraid to be counted as a follower of Jesus and instead gave in to peer pressure? When were the times I spoke the truth about moral issues even though it was not well received?

· The first reason given by Jesus: He knows all and all will be revealed. The deeds done in darkness will be made known in the light. The deeds of evil will be overcome by the deeds of good. God promises that evil will not win out in the end because Jesus has won the victory on the cross.

 What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

· We are called not to act in darkness but always in the light. We are children of the light not of darkness.

· A disciple of Jesus is bold and public about his/her witness to the truth revealed by Jesus.

· Is there an area of darkness I am struggling with now?  Have I ever experience inner peace and freedom when I was able to bring something from darkness into the light?

 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.

· The second reason given by Jesus: in truth those who persecute us have limited powers. Yes, they can harm or even destroy our bodies, but they have no power over the soul. The body is going to die in any event, but the soul will live eternally. The question is whether we will live eternally in condemnation or glory.

· The true fear is “fear of God”, which is not fear in the strict sense but reverential awe of his person and his love. It is a gift of the Spirit. Do I pray for such a gift from God?

 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. 

· The third reason given by Jesus: God’s compassionate and everlasting, personal and redemptive love for each of us. Our full and true worth is found in our relationship to God.

· Am I convinced of God’s love for me or is it something I think I have to merit?

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.

· Instead of fear or cowardice before others, we are challenged by Jesus to take advantage of the opportunities to publicly acknowledge the truth about Jesus and our relationship with him.

· If we do, he promises to be our advocate before His Father on the day we will have to give an account of our life.

· If we do not, he warns us that he will not stand by us on the Day of Judgment.

· What spoke to me in the Gospel passage?

· In my desire to respond to God’s word, what action do I feel I want to take?