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12th Sunday (A)
Jer 20:10-13
The reading contains Jeremiah’s personal confessions, depicting a sensitive and cultured man reluctant to his prophetic role, even feeling duped by God. Despite this, his trust in God remains firm. His words about Jerusalem’s destruction (v10) were seen as traitorous, leading enemies to seek his harm. Yet, he shifts from discouragement to trust, confident Yahweh will vindicate him (v11). His assurance relies on faith, seeking clear proof of his innocence before Yahweh, the just judge (v12). Yahweh, protector of the poor (v13), inspires concern for them in society, as they symbolize dependence and trust.
Rom 5:12-15
Paul compares Adam, the cause of sin, with Christ, the giver of grace, highlighting sin’s universality from Adam and God’s abundant grace. Adam, death, and sin symbolize the human condition. Sin appeared after Adam’s transgression (Gen 3:11-13; 1 Cor 15:21), followed by death, understood as both physical and spiritual separation from God. Sin and death spread to all because all sinned, reflecting a shared participation in Adam’s sin and its consequences. An objection exists: how could sin exist without law? Paul responds that sin was present from Adam to Moses, even without formal precepts, because death was always present. Sin and death are inseparable, reigning over humanity from Adam to Christ. The Catholic Church affirms in Trent that Romans 5:12 teaches original sin, combining collective and personal guilt passed through generations, rooted in the original transgression.
Mt 10:26-33
Jesus encourages the disciples to stand firm amid opposition, repeating three times ‘do not fear’, (vv26, 28, 31), emphasizing proclaiming the gospel openly (v26), trusting God’s protection (vv28-31) and to be assured of final recognition (vv32f). Their private instruction, not yet complete, will be openly proclaimed after the resurrection, distinguishing Christianity from secret Gnostic teachings. Unlike Luke, Matthew warns against fearing death, highlighting the soul’s destruction in the after-life and God’s care surpassing nature’s. Those who profess Christ publicly will be publicly acknowledged; denial leads to condemnation. The setting is legal, portraying Jesus as an advocate before the eternal judge, urging courage despite threats.
Jeremiah and many others chosen by God for a mission faced a serious threat to his life but remained confident in God’s power and His will to save him. Jesus encourages His disciples to have similar courage in the face of persecution. And so are all we who follow Him. Let us all remember His assurance: “Fear not, for I have conquered the world.” Amen!
Fear Not
After summoning the twelve, commissioning and instructing them, (Mt 10:1-15), Jesus was so forthright to tell them what their mission would entail- future opposition and persecution, (vv16-25). He, then encouraged the disciples to stand firm and not to be afraid, (vv26-33).
The verb “phobeō” (φοβἐω) is frequently used (in the negative) in exhorting people in the Bible. Its earlier equivalent in OT mostly was addressed by God to individuals at significant points of divine-human revelation to comfort them: for example, to Abraham, Hagar, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 15:1, 21:17, 26:24, 46:3); to the prophets, Jeremiah (1:8, 42:11), Ezequiel (2:6), and to his people in general, where God command them not to fear others, especially their enemies because God is with them, (Dt 1:21,29,3:2; Jos 8:1,10:8; 2 Sam 9:7). In the NT, both Joseph and Mary were exhorted not to fear during the revelation about the birth of Jesus (Mt 1:20; Lk 1:30, and with Zechariah earlier about John’s birth, v 12). Often Jesus uttered these words with the invitation to have faith in him before performing miracles, Mk 5:36, 6:50; Mt 14:27, 17:7; Lk 8:50; John 6:16). And when he resurrected he greeted him with peace and banished all their fears, (Mt 28:10; cf John 20:21,26).
In advising them not to fear death (v28; cf Lk 12:4-7), Jesus declared that the persecutors may bring the disciples to death for their belief. But they can do no more than that, for they cannot deprive them of eternal life. It is more important to fear the evil one who is capable of destroying the person completely in the afterlife. He assured them further how God sees the inestimable value of their life in comparison with that of the sparrow. God’s care for the elect far surpasses any concern of his for his other creatures (vv29-30; 6:25-34). Finally, Jesus reminded them that earthly profession merits heavenly commendation and that earthly denial will result in heavenly condemnation (vv32-33).
In John, Jesus predicted that “…in the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world”, (16:33). Earlier, people appointed by God like Jeremiah, faced serious threats to their life because of their mission. But the prophet remains confident of God’s power and will to save him, saying: “..the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion, my persecutors will stumble, they will not prevail…”,(20:11). Jesus promised the same for us. Fear not and take courage, therefore, in the face of any human threat. Amen.
