THIS Sunday’s gospel (Matthew 10:26:33) is preceded by Jesus’ warnings about the religious persecutions that await his apostles, and consequently, everyone who believes in him and works for the expansion of his kingdom. These persecutions include being handed over to councils, being flogged in the synagogues, being dragged before governors and kings, being betrayed even by relatives, and being hated by all because of his name.
Yet this Sunday, we are encouraged by Jesus’ words, “Fear no 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.”
The worst persecution that a believer can endure is to be killed because of his faith. That is what many Christian martyrs down the ages had suffered but have gladly accepted –- stoned to death, pierced with a sword, beheaded, burned at stake, tortured in one and a thousand ways. Their torturers may have succeeded in inflicting excruciating pain in their bodies, even depriving them of physical life, but what they had failed to do was to vanish their souls. God took care of them, and in their death, their souls were ushered into heaven, where joy is unspeakable and where peace is eternal.
In the modern world, we who live in societies that safeguard religious freedom do not have to suffer this much for our Christian witnessing. We are not threatened, tortured, or killed for speaking about our Lord Jesus and his gift of salvation, but the question is, do we do our part in the universal mission to spread the word of God? Do we give a testimony to our faith, not only with what we say but also with what we do? Do we have the courage to say no to sin even when it is very unpopular to do so? Do we stand up for what is true, just, noble and honorable? And do we play an active role to pierce the darkness that envelopes us?
Sometimes our answer to these questions is yes; in other times, no. Many will say that it is not always easy to mirror the goodness of Christ in a world where evil reigns. Nevertheless, when we are about to falter, let us remember that Jesus assures us of his, and our Heavenly Father’s, loving care and protection. In his word, “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 (Matthew 10:29-31).”
Challenging us to be bold enough to share our faith and not hide it, Jesus continues, “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 (Matthew 10:32-33).”
This Sunday and always, let us pray that we become the disciples that God wants us to be, acknowledging that everything can become possible only by the grace of God.