Transcript
In the Gospel this weekend, Jesus says three times: “Do not be afraid.” The disciples were being sent into a world that would not always welcome them. They would face rejection, misunderstanding, and even persecution. However Jesus told them not to be afraid because they were never alone. Jesus uses a beautiful image: “Even all the hairs of your head are counted.” My dear friends, God’s care for us is so personal that nothing in our lives escapes His attention. Our worries, our struggles, disappointments, and fears are all known to Him. We also live with fears. We worry about our health, our families, our future, our finances, or the challenges facing the Church and society. Sometimes we may be afraid to live our faith openly and to speak about Jesus in a world that often ignores Him. This weekend, Jesus invites us to place our trust in God rather than in our fears. Courage does not mean having no fear; it means trusting that God is with us despite our fears. So my dear friends, as we come to the Eucharist this weekend, let us bring to Jesus whatever fear or anxiety that we carry. Let us hear His words addressed personally to each one of us: “Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” May we renew our confidence in God’s love and courage to witness to Christ in our daily lives. Amen.