12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr Dominic’s Homily

Jesus tells us today "Do not be afraid- fear no one." Regardless of who it is. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body – rather be afraid of those who kill the soul.

He says "Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing."

Notice that in this passage, God never promises that the sparrows will not fall. Rather, God promises that when they fall, He is there. Because in Jesus you are connected to God.

Living in this world can be like living on that wheel that represents health, money, pleasure, and power. It constantly turns, sometimes you are up sometimes you are down. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you gain. That's what happens in life to all of us. It is constantly moving.

When you live in the world you live on the edges of that wheel. But when you are in Christ you move to the centre of that wheel of you don't let these things effect you. They still happen but they don't aggravate you. They don't exasperate you.

When you are in rooted in Christ you are in the interior castle that Teresa of Avila spoke of. Regardless of what is going on you have found a place of safety and a place of peace. In our struggles and anxieties, we can sense a higher power that rises above these trials.

Remember that the body passes but the soul endures forever. So we must prioritise our fears. Who are we afraid of? Those who can damage our bodies? Or the Lord our God?

In the midst of the worlds difficulties, you can find a place of safety and power. This is what is meant by living in God's providence!

The turbulent waves of the sea still crash against us but when you are close to God, he provides you with the ability to ride those waves. The waves are still there - but they don't affect you in the same way. If you are anchored in Christ, then you don't get lost in the surges of the sea.

Think of the saints. Think of JP2. He is famous for saying "Be not afraid." Yet he himself had experienced much violence in his life. It comes from his groundedness in Christ.

Think of Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio in Mexico during the Cristero period who at the age of 14 stood up against the government authorities when priests and Nuns were being attacked and persecuted for their faith.

He wasn't afraid of those who killed the body. He was more concerned with his soul. He was living in Christ.

Think of Teresa of Calcutta who challenged the American president and the whole government over the issue of abortion. She wasn't afraid.

These people didn't fear the people around them but God. They worried more about what God wanted them to do.

Notice that none of these people lived a life free from tribulation, threat, or persecution. It's sometimes assumed that somehow those who believe in God expect life to be easy.

Where are your priorities? Who do you want to please? Who do you fear? in some ways once you resolve these questions the rest of your life will unfold.

People might say that you believe in God yet how do you explain the fact that you are going through suffering? Does it say anywhere in the bible that those who believe in God will have an easy life?

In fact, it appears to be just the opposite. Today's readings seem to promise that if we witness, we will be persecuted. It's about finding that courage in the very midst of the struggles and the negativity in life.

Even Jesus was not spared pain, persecution, suffering. He was tempted, insulted, betrayed, beaten, and ultimately killed. Yet, he feared no one, and from his broken body flowed the blood and water of the world's salvation.'

So, if we listen closely, we hear God's promise that we will never be alone. God's hand is with us. We may be persecuted, we may be afraid, but we are loved, we are redeemed, and we are called by name.