HOMILY FOR 12TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR - A

 

12^TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR - A

Fear Less, Trust More: God is with You

Jeremiah 20:10 - 13                Romans 5:12 - 15                 Matthew 10:26 - 33

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus!

The Word of God today speaks about something that every one of us experiences: fear. We have fear of failure, rejection, sickness, the loss of our loved ones, and financial insecurity. Fear is a part of human life, and at different moments we all struggle with it.

Many young people fear an uncertain future. Parents worry about their children. The elderly worry about their health. Even those who appear strong carry hidden fears within their hearts.

We are living in a world filled with anxiety. Every day we hear news about wars, violence, economic struggles, natural disasters, and social unrest. Fear has become a constant companion for many people.

It is into this reality that Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel. Three times He says: “Do not be afraid.”

Why does Jesus repeat these words?

Because He knows us. He knows our worries, our struggles, and our fears. He knows how easily fear can rob us of our peace and weaken our faith.

The message of today’s readings can be summed up in one sentence: Fear less, trust more, because God is with you.

Trust God in Times of Opposition: Jeremiah 20:10 - 13

In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah is going through a very difficult time.

People are speaking against him. They are waiting for him to fail. Even some of his friends have turned against him. Jeremiah feels lonely, rejected, and discouraged.

How often do we experience something similar?

Sometimes we try to do what is right, yet we are criticized. We stand for honesty and truth, yet people misunderstand us. We remain faithful to our Christian values, yet we face opposition.

At such moments fear enters our hearts.

But Jeremiah does not allow fear to control him. Instead, he boldly declares: “The Lord is with me like a mighty champion.”

We notice that Jeremiah’s confidence does not come from his own strength. It comes from God’s presence.

Faith does not mean that we will never face difficulties. Faith means believing that God is with us even in the middle of our difficulties.

When life becomes challenging, we must remember Jeremiah’s words: The Lord is with me like a mighty champion.

Trust God’s Grace More than Your Weakness: Romans 5:12 - 15         

In the second reading, St. Paul speaks about the reality of sin and human weakness.

All of us know what it means to fail. We make mistakes. We fall into sin. We disappoint ourselves and others. Sometimes we become discouraged because of our weaknesses.

Many people live with fear because they are trapped by their past. They fear that they can never change. They fear that God may not forgive them.

But St. Paul gives us a message of hope.

He tells us that while sin entered the world through Adam, God's grace comes abundantly through Jesus Christ.

Paul wants us to understand a beautiful truth: God’s grace is greater than our failures.

Our sins are not stronger than God’s mercy.

Our weaknesses are not stronger than God’s grace.

Our past is not stronger than Christ’s saving love.

No matter how many times we have fallen, God always invites us to rise again.

That is why Christians are people of hope. We do not trust in our own strength; we trust in God’s grace.

Trust God’s Loving Care: Matthew 10:26 - 33

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks directly to our fears.

He knows that His disciples will face persecution and hardship. Yet He tells them three times:

“Do not be afraid.”

Why?

Because God cares for them.

Jesus points to the sparrows.

In His time, sparrows were among the smallest and least valuable birds. Yet not one of them falls to the ground without the Father’s knowledge.

Then Jesus says something even more beautiful: “Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.”

This means that God knows us personally and completely.

He knows our joys.

He knows our struggles.

He knows our worries.

He knows our tears.

There is nothing about our lives that escapes His loving attention.

Many fears arise because people feel forgotten, abandoned, or insignificant.

Jesus assures us today that this is never true.

God sees us.

God knows us.

God loves us.

And because God loves us, we do not need to live in fear.

Let me share a Story

A little boy was walking with his father on a dark road at night.

As the darkness grew deeper, the boy became frightened. Holding his father's hand tightly, he asked,

Dad, are you still with me?

His father smiled and replied,

Yes, my son, I am right here.

The road remained dark.

The dangers did not disappear.

But the boy was no longer afraid because he knew he was not alone.

That is exactly what faith means.

Faith does not remove every problem from our lives.

Faith reminds us that God walks beside us through every problem.

The darkness may remain, but when we know that God is with us, fear gives way to trust.

What this story mean to us today

Many of us have come to church carrying fears in our hearts.

Some are worried about their health.

Some are worried about their family.

Some are struggling financially.

Some are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Some are anxious about the future.

Others are carrying burdens that nobody else knows about.

Today Jesus speaks personally to each one of us: “Do not be afraid.”

He does not say this because life is easy.

He says it because He is with us.

Whatever burden you are carrying today, place it in God’s hands.

Whatever fear troubles your heart, bring it to the Lord.

Trust Him.

He knows what you are facing.

He knows what you need.

And He will never abandon you.

It is often said that the words “Do not be afraid” or “Fear not” appear 365 times in the Bible - one reminder for every day of the year. Whether the exact number is 365 or not, the message is clear: God constantly invites us to trust Him.

Today the Lord repeats that message once again.

Jeremiah teaches us to trust God’s presence in our struggles.

Paul teaches us to trust God’s grace in our weakness.

Jesus teaches us to trust God’s love in every circumstance.

Whenever fear enters your heart, remember the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

Yes friends, Fear will visit us, but it does not have to rule us.

Let us place our trust in the Lord.

Let us walk with confidence in His love.

As St. Francis de Sales reminds us, “Be at peace, and do not be afraid.” Fear less. Trust more. God is with you.

 

LIVE JESUS!

FR. D. VIMAL MSFS

befiretoinspire151@gmail.com

+ 91 8300705382