12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Several years ago, I was alone with my golden retriever, Hazel. At about 3:00 am, a loud noise awakened me. Hazel let out a bark and growl that I had never heard before. My heart was pounding and racing. After several minutes, I got out of bed and braved inspecting the house. Hazel, still shaking, went straight to her kennel and did not come out until morning. It was then that I discovered the broken window in the back bedroom. Hazel scared the intruder away with her keen sense of smell and sound.
We all experience fear, whether it is the kind I experienced or the daily worries and anxieties that leave us fearful. In the first reading from the prophet Jeremiah, we experience, in a real way, the fear and anguish of Jeremiah. Terror on every side! His enemies are out to get him, yet he overcomes his fear and puts his faith and trust in God’s loving care, believing that his enemies are also God’s enemies.
The gospel reading picks up from last Sunday’s gospel with Jesus’ instructions to the Twelve as he sends them out to proclaim the word of God. There will be suffering and persecution in his name, yet Jesus tells them: Fear no one. His command is to be fearless with the assurance that, like Jeremiah, their souls will be with him in the kingdom of God — everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
In the words of Father Eymard: It is better to go to Holy Communion with your weaknesses than to distance yourself from it through fear or humility. Love expresses itself more through surrender than through respect, more through trust than through fear.
As we reflect on today’s readings, when have you had to overcome fear to be faithful to your call?
Closing Prayer:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we fear not though the earth be shaken, and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea, though its waters rage and foam and the mountains quake at its surging. The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Amen. (Psalm 46:1-4)
