October 16, 2026 Friday

“Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

Jesus begins this passage by speaking first to his own disciples, telling them to “beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy.” The Jews saw the fermenting characteristic of yeast as a corrupting agent. That is why they only use unleavened bread at the Passover. The corrupting agent in the Pharisees was their hypocrisy. This does not mean they pretended to be what they were not on the inside. The Pharisees did practice what they preached. Jesus calls this hypocritical because it was leading people astray. They focused on minutiae and forgot some of the more important parts of the law.

Jesus goes on to tell us whom we should fear. “Be afraid of the one who, after killing, has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.” He reminds us of the extraordinary trust that we should have in God.

Yet, Jesus immediately places alongside this salutary fear of God the need for a profound trust in God. As Jesus says, “every hair on your head has been counted.” Jesus invites us to trust in God’s loving provision. There has been a breakdown in trust at all kinds of levels in society and in the church. The betrayal of trust has made us all less trustworthy. In the gospel reading, Jesus declares that God is always worthy of our trust. This should be reinforced in each Mass. Jesus there nourishes us with his own body and blood. Jesus invites us to trust him and God our loving Father as he did as he faced his crucifixion.

Let Us Pray:

O loving Jesus, deepen my appreciation of your teaching and practice, so that I do not lead others astray. Deepen my trust in your life and values.