READINGS: JEREMIAH 20:10-13; ROMANS 5:12-15; MATTHEW 10:26-33

"Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." [Matthew 10:31]

Dear Our Lady of Light family, We welcome you to the 12th Sunday of the year with the beautiful words from the Lord: "Do not be afraid." Fear is one of the most universal human experiences. We fear rejection, failure, illness, uncertainty, violence, loneliness, and even the act of speaking the truth when it may come at a cost. Jesus understood that His disciples would encounter opposition and misunderstanding, which is why He repeatedly assures us in this Sunday’s Gospel: "Do not be afraid." These words are not only a source of comfort; they serve as a call to courageous faith.

Fear entered the human narrative early on. After Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, Adam's first response to God was, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid" [Genesis 3:10]. Fear is often intertwined with sin, mistrust, and separation from God. The evil one exploits fear as a powerful tool to discourage, divide, and silence God's people. It can hinder us from doing what is right, from speaking the truth, or from responding generously to God's call.

Yet, throughout salvation history, God speaks words of reassurance to those He calls. To Moses before he confronted Pharaoh, to Jeremiah amid persecution, to the prophets facing opposition, to Joseph in a dream, and to Mary at the Annunciation, the message remains the same: "Do not be afraid." This encouragement is one of the most frequently repeated commands in Sacred Scripture. Christian writers often highlight its prevalence in the Bible, reminding us that God desires His children to live not in fear, but in trust. Let us embrace this message and cultivate a faith that conquers fear.

Trusting God Amid Opposition

The prophet Jeremiah knew what it meant to be afraid. He was mocked, opposed, and threatened because he faithfully proclaimed God's message. He heard people whispering against him: "Terror on every side!" [Jeremiah 20:10]. Yet in the midst of fear and persecution, Jeremiah made a profound act of trust: "But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion." [Jeremiah 20:11] Jeremiah teaches us that faith is not the absence of fear. Rather, faith is choosing to trust God even when fear surrounds us.

Grace Is Greater Than Sin

In the Letter to the Romans, St. Paul reminds us that while sin entered the world through one man, Adam, God's grace entered through Jesus Christ and is far more powerful [Romans 5:12-15]. If fear entered the world through humanity's fall, hope and freedom enter through Christ's redemption. Fear often comes from our awareness of weakness, failure, and vulnerability. Yet Christ's saving grace is greater than every human weakness. As St. John Paul II famously proclaimed at the beginning of his pontificate: "Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ." When Christ enters our hearts, fear no longer has the final word.

Courage in Witness

Jesus tells His disciples: "What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light." [Matthew 10:27] The Gospel is not a private possession but a gift meant to be shared. The disciples were called to proclaim the Good News openly, and so are we. Jesus then teaches an important lesson about fear: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul." [Matthew 10:28] Human beings can threaten, criticise, exclude, or misunderstand us, but they cannot separate us from God's love. Only God holds our lives in His hands.

The God Who Knows Every Sparrow

One of the most beautiful images in this Gospel is that of the sparrows: "Not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge." [Matthew 10:29] If God notices even the smallest bird, how much more does He care for each of us? Jesus goes even further: "Even all the hairs of your head are counted." [Matthew 10:30] God's love is not general or distant. It is personal. He knows our struggles, our anxieties, our family concerns, our health challenges, and the burdens we carry in silence. St. Augustine beautifully wrote: "God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us."

Living This Message in Queens

Here in Queens, one of the most diverse communities in the world, many families carry real fears. Some worry about economic pressures, rising living costs, job security, immigration concerns, public safety, the future of their children, or caring for ageing parents. Young people often face pressure to conform to values that do not reflect the Gospel. In such circumstances, Jesus' words are especially relevant: "Do not be afraid." He does not promise a life without difficulties. Instead, He promises His presence in every difficulty. As Christians, we are called to witness to our faith in ordinary ways: 

  • By praying openly and faithfully.
  • By defending the dignity of every human person.
  • By welcoming newcomers and supporting those who feel isolated.
  • By living with honesty and integrity in our workplaces and schools.
  • By speaking about Christ without embarrassment or shame.

The world does not need louder Christians as much as it needs faithful Christians.

A Challenge for This Week

This week, identify one fear that has been holding you back from living your faith more fully. Bring that fear to prayer and entrust it to Jesus. Ask yourself: Am I afraid of what others think of my faith? Am I afraid to forgive? Am I afraid to trust God with an uncertain future? Am I afraid to speak the truth with charity? Then listen again to the Lord's words: "Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." [Matthew 10:31]

Fear asks, "What might happen to me?" Faith asks, "What is God asking of me?" When we keep our eyes on Christ, fear loses its power and trust takes its place. [ St. John Paul II.]

Lord Jesus, You know our fears, anxieties, and uncertainties. Help us to trust in Your loving care. St Pascal Baylon and St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us. Our Lady of Light leads us to walk in faith, not in fear. Amen.

Fr. Erick Balderas Vega M.Afr and Fr. Henry Byamukama M.Afr