GOSPEL, Matthew (10: 24-33)
Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew
24 “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
Whom to Fear
26 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 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. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
32 “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
The Gospel of the Lord
REFLECTION
How powerful was Christ’s mandate? “15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)
Moreover, the disciples then and now obeyed this mandate, fearlessly facing indifference, opposition, persecution, martyrdom and death. As Christ had told them, “A disciple is no more than his teacher, nor a servant more than his Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Transformed by the Holy Spirit, they drive out fear, create freedom and joy in the children of God. Tyrants can crush physical life, but they cannot kill or destroy the person and their inner freedom, the soul. He will assess whoever professes him to the world as Lord of history and human life.
Let us shed cowardly fears, let us not be ashamed of our beliefs, let us not be frightened and acknowledge humbly, to be practising Christians.
To be a disciple of Christ is to be willing to risk your life for the Kingdom, it is to confess your faith in extreme cases and to do it without recognition, power and wealth or to fulfill any ambition. It is simply to show your courage, with serenity and firmness interiorizing the Lord’s words, “33 I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (John 16: 33) and “22 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Mt 10: 22).
Let us be faithful, for it is in fidelity to God that we guarantee our salvation and safeguard the work that Christ Himself entrusted to His Church, to which we belong. Let us not be afraid. The work will always be the Lord’s. Let nothing worry us or frighten us.
PRAYER
God our Father gives us the courage to be witnesses of your Kingdom of peace. To love and care for our brethren in the difficult mission for the meaning of life. Amen.