Acknowledge or Denounce: Reflections on the Readings for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

If you haven’t already read the readings you can find them here.

Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm 69
Romans 5:12-15
Matthew 10:26-33

We’ve read lots of stories in the news over the past few years about the persecution of Christians around the world. It is particularly bad in India, Nigeria, communist countries, and in parts of Africa with radical Muslim concentrations. Even here in the U.S. we have had hundreds of instances of church burnings, vandalism, destruction of Church property and even targeting of Catholics by our own government under the self-proclaimed Catholic president, Joe Biden. And yet we read so often about how those Christians prevail. Their faith is strong and so is their trust in God.

Jesus warned us of such trials in the Last Supper discourse. “If the world hates you, realize that it hated Me first.” (John 15:18) But in that same discourse He also told them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27) The key to our future is to acknowledge Jesus in spite of the resistance, bigotry, and hostility we might experience. Again, this requires faith and trust in God.

Jeremiah the prophet is an example of faith and trust in God. His experience could reflect the situation today as well as in the sixth and seventh century B.C. when it was first written. Note that Jeremiah, because of his trust in God, does not ask to avenge his persecutors but rather asks that he be allowed to witness the Lord’s vengeance on them. This passage reminds us of the declaration in Deuteronomy and also in Romans that vengeance belongs to God. (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19) This is also in keeping with Jesus’ admonition to turn the other cheek and to pray for our enemies. When we let our passions rule our actions, it only gets us into trouble. “Anger does not enhance judgment.” (Brant Hansen, Unoffendable) In the end, as Jeremiah notes, with the Lord on our side, our persecutors will fail and be put to shame.

The responsorial psalm also deals with bearing insult and persecution for our love of God, even to the point of becoming outcasts within our own families. In such situations we pray to the Lord for His help. “For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” This theme will be carried through into the gospel reading. If we trust in Jesus and acknowledge Him, He will acknowledge (testify for) us at the final judgment.

The theme in the excerpt from Romans is a continuation of last week’s reading. While it focuses on sin it also ties in with the gospel as the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice brings grace that surpasses the consequences of sin (death). Note that St. Paul refers to Jesus as the new Adam. In fact, he speaks of Adam as the “type of the one to come” (Jesus). This is called “typology” and occurs often in the Old Testament as, generally speaking, the Old Testament points always to the New Testament and Jesus. As Adam was created sinless but transgressed and thus sin entered the world such that “death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin,” Jesus’ death on the cross was the gift that restored the balance between mankind and God.

The excerpt from Matthew is also a continuation of last week’s reading. Jesus is sending out His disciples “like sheep in the midst of wolves.” However, He is telling them whom they should fear. By “Fear no one” He is referring to humans. His disciples have value because they are of God and the Father is aware of all that may befall them, even more than a sparrow. The one to fear is the evil one: “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.” Their protection is in their acknowledgment of Jesus for which Jesus is promising them, not necessarily earthly protection, but heavenly protection.

Jesus told His followers on many other occasions, “Be not afraid.” We all have some fear, even if it is only fear of uncertainty. But followers of Christ have something that mitigates fear. It’s all tied to the love God has for us and our trust in Him. This combination of love and trust is a foundation for hope, hope in the Lord. And, as St. Paul says, “hope does not disappoint.” (Romans 5:3-5)

If we go back to the earlier passages of this chapter of Matthew’s gospel, when Jesus is telling His followers about the division and travails they will have to undergo (that includes us), He also tells them, “He who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13) If we truly love God, we will want to be with Him, and so we endeavor to live our lives in accordance with His commandments. Therefore, we do not fear bodily dying, only death of the soul, as this gospel reading tells us. As St. John tells us, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18) He is relating to the perfect love of God.

Note that these are action words; persevere, endure, love, hope. These are things under our control. We cannot just say, “I believe,” then sit back and let things happen around us. As we are called to conversion we are also called to action. To love our neighbor requires action on our part.  Love is an act of the will. The Catechism tells us, “To live, grow, and persevere in faith until the end we must nourish it with the word of God; we must beg the Lord to increase our faith; it must be ‘working through charity,’ abounding in hope, and rooted in the faith of the Church.” (CCC 162)

Simply attending Mass weekly is not enough. We must actively participate. And we must do more than just spend one hour a week with God. We must pray daily. Spend an additional hour with Jesus (either in Adoration or in the tabernacle) each week (or more). We should also read the Scripture selections for daily Mass. They rarely take more than ten minutes. So be alive in your faith. It has positive rewards for your life. Even secular studies have found this to be true.