OT XII A HOMILY (June 21, 2026)

My brothers and sisters in Christ,

There is a funny story about an elderly woman named Maude who was taking her very first flight on a big jetliner headed for Rome. She was absolutely terrified. Even knowing that there were four Catholic bishops seated in the row just behind her didn't calm her nerves. During the flight, she peered out the window and, to her horror, saw one of the plane's engines break loose and fall away. "We're going to die!" she cried out. The flight attendant rushed over and said, "Don't worry, Maude. The pilot says we can land safely with three engines. Besides, God is with us—we have four bishops to pray for us!" Maude quickly replied, "I'd rather have four engines and three bishops!"

Like Maude, we all experience fear. Some fears are passing, but others run deep: fear of the future, fear of declining health, fear of rejection, or fear of what it might cost us to stand up for our Faith in a secular world. But in today’s Scripture readings, God speaks directly to our anxious hearts, repeating a clear and powerful command: "Do not be afraid."

In our first reading, the prophet Jeremiah faced terrible opposition, threats, and slander just for speaking God’s truth. Yet, he refused to give in to panic. He found his courage by leaning on God, declaring, "The Lord is with me, like a mighty champion." St. Paul, in our second reading to the Romans, assures us that we don't need to fear the world because we are united with Christ. Jesus, the new Adam, conquered sin and death. Because we share in His Resurrection, the ultimate victory is already ours.

But it is in today’s Gospel from Matthew where Jesus most intimately addresses our anxieties. As He prepares to send His apostles out into the world to preach and heal, He warns them that they will face pushback, rejection, and persecution. Yet, three times, Jesus commands them: "Do not fear!" He gives them—and us—three reasons to replace our fear with courage.

First, Jesus promises that the truth will ultimately triumph. He says, "Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered." Evil, falsehood, and injustice may seem to win in the short term, but God will bring everything to light. We don’t need to fear the lies of the world because God is the ultimate judge who will vindicate the faithful.

Second, the world’s power is limited. Jesus tells us not to fear those who can only kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. This isn't meant to frighten us; it is meant to give us eternal perspective. When we hold onto a holy, loving reverence for God, it casts out all human fear. Saint John Chrysostom understood this beautifully. When a Roman emperor threatened to banish him, take his treasure, and kill him, the great saint boldly replied: "You cannot, for my life is hid with Christ in God."

Third, and most importantly, we should not fear because we are deeply loved. Jesus uses the image of the sparrow—a tiny, inexpensive, seemingly insignificant bird. He tells us that not a single sparrow falls to the ground without the Father knowing. And then He looks at His disciples and says, "Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

My friends, at the root of almost all our fear is the fear of loss—losing a job, our reputation, our loved ones, or our control. But the perfect antidote to the fear of loss is trust in the providence of a loving God. The Lord who counts the hairs on your head knows exactly what you are going through right now. He knows your struggles, your medical reports, and your family tensions.

This week, when fear tries to grip your heart, remember who you belong to. You are a beloved child of the King. Let us pray for the grace to trust in the Lord completely, to preach Christ boldly through our words and actions, and to rest in the unshakeable peace that our lives are securely held in the hands of God.

Amen.