Gospel Reading for July 12, 2025 – Matthew 10: 24-33
STEADFAST
Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! “Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
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“. . . do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”
Jesus was probably preparing the apostles for the things that were to come when they start their mission with him no longer around. He knew they would be suffering physically and it would be too much to bear, but it would be better than allowing their persecutors to kill their souls. It is said, that martyrs could have been spared from suffering and death if they renounced their faith.
According to Tradition, the apostles died of crucifixion, beheading, stoning, flaying alive, piercing by a sword or spear, being clubbed, and even being sawn in half, and yet not one of them renounced their faith. They remained STEADFAST. Indeed, keeping the soul alive is more important than the body, because our soul is that which can live in eternity!
Lord Jesus, may we draw strength and courage from your Spirit so we may never fear evil!
