12th Week in Ordinary Time : Sunday 25th June 2023

The prophet Jeremiah is known as the “weeping prophet”. In the first reading, Jeremiah is shown to be in a state of despair. He had accused God of seducing him into accepting a mission that brings only derision and reproach from the people. Till now, God’s Word has only brought him denunciations, the loss of friends and the threat of death. He has even contemplated abandoning his office of prophet. Despite all these, Jeremiah knows that God is with him and his enemies will not be victorious.

The day’s psalm highlights the plight of one who suffers for the Lord. He is exhausted, alienated from his friends and family and misunderstood by others. Yet, these challenges the psalmist expresses bring hope in God and he makes a vow to praise Him to the end. His suffering for the Lord and his hope of vindication by his attentive and faithful God gives hope to all who serve the Lord.

In His message, Jesus is shown to encourage His disciples to remain fearless in the face of opposition and persecution. Each saying of Jesus begins with “Do not be afraid” and challenges the fears that would cause the disciples to abandon their mission. In all, the three sayings of Jesus assure the disciple of the inevitability of the coming of God’s kingdom. Jesus’ witness to it, God’s care for the disciples of Jesus, and the final judgement before God, which will be based on the disciples’ faithfulness to Jesus during the conflicts that are part of their mission.

Lord, help me not to be afraid.