12th Sunday A 21 June 2026 Security
We are exhorted not to fear in today’s Gospel (Mt 10,26)
God will look after us as He does for the birds of the air and beasts of the field..
Yet we see that there are times when a Christian is not safe. For example, times of persecution when many can be put to death.
Do not fear those who can kill the body (Mt 10,,28) Jesus says.
We are not guaranteed physical safety, though if we pray for it we are more likely to receive it.
But the real battle is fought elsewhere. Jesus is talking about spiritual security, to be safe from sin and spiritual death. This is where it really counts.
Freedom from sin can be translated as the presence of grace, the life of God, the goodness which He emanates.
He loves me, this much we know, but do we love Him? That is where the attention has to be fixed.
We cannot seek just physical and material blessings from God, but must go further in our union with Him, to live as He wants us to live.
Without fear means without sin. Perfect love casts out fear (1 Jn 4,18).
Our prayer and receiving of sacraments will not necessarily lead to a reduction of pain. We see the saints prayed all the time and with great faith, but it usually meant for them more pain!
But they were free, being free from sin and spiritual death, which they would have identified as the most important matter.
Our prayer will lead to an increase of grace; we become more alive.
We might recoil when we hear what happens to the martyrs, not only death but torture. But that is only a preliminary part of the overall story.
The real story lies in the spiritual element. The spiritual domain is where we are defined as people, good or bad, alive or dead.
Jeremiah, in today’s first reading, describes his sufferings, and he had many. Just for speaking on God's behalf.
It is easier to kill a good man than to listen what he says. Kill the prophet if you wish, but he is the one that remains alive.
We sell ourselves short if we do not seek to have this spiritual side operating as it should.
Not recognizing God people do not recognize themselves and their true dignity. If we define ourselves just in material or physical terms we are missing the point. I am rich, I am healthy, but am I alive?
Nor do people care properly for each other when they see only the physical.
We are called to look out for each other, to be charitable, and this is essentially a sharing of spiritual graces. We pray for each other, help each other to live good lives.
This is why there is so much disregard for human life, and why something as terrible as abortions can be approved, or even seen as a right. A baby is just a physical object, not an immortal soul, in this thinking
When we see the full picture of a human life we think differently. If we are united with Christ we come to true life.
The kingdom of God, which we pray to come among us, incorporates the spiritual dimension. Love of neighbour becomes a joy not a burden.
To help everyone to see what they could have through the life of Christ.
This is the life
without fear that Jesus promises us.
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