“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.”

“We fear men so much, because we fear God so little. One fear cures another. When man's terror scares you, turn your thoughts to the wrath of God.”― G.K. Chesterton

Gospel Text: (MT 10:24-33)

Jesus said to his Apostles:

“No disciple is above his teacher,

no slave above his master.

It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher,

for the slave that he become like his master.

If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul,

how much more those of his household!

“Therefore do not be afraid of them.

Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,

nor secret that will not be known.

What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;

what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

And 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.

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.

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.”

Psychologists tell us about the three common reactions to a frightening situation. We will (a) choose to face the situation and work through it, (b) shut down and do nothing at all, or (c) run away from the problem. In other words, fight, freeze, or flee.

But Jesus tells us not to be afraid. Two sparrows are not worth much at all but the Father knows when each one of them dies. He knows the number of hairs on our head. So, Jesus says, do not be afraid. Do not be afraid to proclaim the good news from the housetops. And do not be afraid of the Father. Jesus calls him “my heavenly Father.” He also calls him “your Father.” He is your Father and my Father. He is powerful, mighty, holy, the great King.

Remember that you belong to Christ and he will never abandon you. Remember, remember, remember!