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Scripture Reflection 

Matthew 10:26-33

Those who acknowledge Christ will be known to the Father.

Gospel Reflection

‘Do not be afraid’ is one of the most commonly repeated sentences in the Bible. In one form or another, the command to ‘be not afraid’ or ‘fear not’ appears several hundred times throughout the Old and New Testaments. Today’s gospel passage is part of the sending out of the Twelve that occupies all of Chapter 10 in the gospel. It follows a little later in the chapter from last week’s reading in which Jesus called the Twelve and sent them out as Apostles. The remainder of the chapter provides an extended teaching on what it means and what it costs to take the message of Jesus out into the world. Jesus teaches the Twelve that the message they bear will not always be well received and there will be those who will seek to silence the Apostles through violent means. But then the teaching comes to the section of today’s passage and Jesus commands the Twelve, ‘Do not be afraid’.

The message to not be afraid is as much for the original intended audience of the gospel as it was for the apostles. The community for whom this gospel was written were on the verge of being ‘squeezed out’ and forced into secret. The passage reminds them to have courage and to have the courage of their convictions; to shout from the house-tops their message, not whisper it in darkness. It is a reminder of the abundant love of God who cares for them and sees all their efforts to continue to live out the message and ministry of Jesus.

It is equally a message for us, today. We are called to continue the spread of the gospel message; continuing the work of those early Christian communities, the Twelve and Jesus himself.

Gospel Focus – Fear

When scripture uses the term fear, it tends to fall into one of two meanings. When used in the context of ‘do not be afraid’ or ‘fear not’, it is a command to not be daunted by the woes and trials that the world imposes. The other use tends to be a command that we should fear God. In this context, the word does not mean to be frightened of God but rather to show proper reverence. To fear God is to stand in wonder and awe rather than to cower and hide. So, fear God, but do not be afraid!

Living the Gospel – From the house-tops

One of the messages of Jesus to his disciples and, through him, of Matthew to the original community, is to have courage and to have pride in their belief. No matter what threat or persecution they are to endure, the command is to proclaim the message of Jesus from the house-tops. They are to be proud of what they believe and be prepared to share it with others. In a world today that is not always open to the message of Jesus, we too are called to be proud of what we believe and not whisper it in the darkness.

By Greg Sunter