Reflection for Sunday 21st June, 2026

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Be not Afraid (Matt 10: 26-33)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues his instruction of the Apostles. Three times, Jesus says “Do not be afraid.” This is a phrase repeated 365 times in the bible.
Once upon a time, it took courage of a sort not to go to church in holy Ireland. People who did not go to church were regarded as odd, or maybe worse. How things have changed! Now it takes courage to witness to Christian beliefs and ideals. One has to swim against the current of popular opinion stirred up by social media brain-washing and cynical agnosticism.

God knows how fear can paralyze us so he continually exhorts us to have courage, to have confidence. If people opposed Jesus and called him diabolical names, why should we be surprised if we have to put up with a little mockery? We are in good company when we are with Jesus.

“Everything now covered will be uncovered and everything now hidden will be made clear.”

Here’s a story about Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Her Missionaries of Charity spend an hour in prayer before going out to help the poor. One morning, a young Sister going out looked very sad. Mother Teresa gently called her aside. “Did Jesus say ‘Go before me,’ or ‘Follow me’?”
Sister’s face changed and she smiled. To follow Jesus is to walk with him, filled with the great, much needed virtue called hope. You may be familiar with this hymn.

“Do not be afraid, I go before you always,
Come follow me and I will give you rest.”

And there is song by Rodgers and Hammerstein in Carousel.

“When you walk through a storm hold your head up high and don’t be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm is a golden sun and the sweet silver song of the lark.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart and you’ll never walk alone, you’ll never walk alone.”

The Good News will triumph

Pope Francis, speaking to a group of newly ordained priests, compared them to aeroplanes: they make news only when they crash! The News never reports that nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine planes landed safely today. The wonderful contribution of the Church to education, culture, medical care, feeding the hungry, working for justice and peace, etc. is being airbrushed out of history. But Jesus tells us not to be afraid because the time will come when the full truth will be recognised. “Everything now covered will be uncovered and everything now hidden will be made clear.” Be not afraid: God sees the full picture. “So, if anyone declares for me in the presence of others, I will declare myself for them in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of others, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.” Be not afraid: God is with us. “Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of right, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”