TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

No Need To Be Afraid

First Reading (Jer 20:10-13): The Lord has overpowered humankind
Second Reading (Rom 5:12-15): All died because of Adam's sin; but through Christ's grace all now live.
Gospel (Mt 10:26-33): Do not fear to acknowledge our Lord before human beings
Chinese Classics:
“When all the world in mud has sunk, Alone I am clean; When all the people are drunk, Sober I am seen.” (1)
Ran Qiu said, “It is not that I do not delight in your doctrine, but my strength is insufficient.” The master said, “Those whose strength is insufficient give up in the middle of the way, but now you limit yourself.” (2)

‘Have no fear of them!’ Jesus said, ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. Even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows!’ (Mt 10:26-33)

Sparrows are cheap. A small copper coin can buy two of them. However, our Father in heaven loves and protects them. Without the Father's knowledge, not even one of them falls to the ground. We are of more value than sparrows so God is bound to love us more and take better care of us. Jesus tells us that even the hairs of our head are counted. So we should put our trust in God and not be afraid.

In a survey, teenagers were asked what they feared most. They responded that they were most afraid of being excluded from their friends' circles or not being accepted by their friends or peer groups. In light of this, I believe that in order to please their peer groups not a few young people will choose to speak foul language and do whatever the group wants even to the point of doing evil.

As Christians, we should be pillars of strength and know how to say “no”. We should know how to refuse and serve as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We should be able to do what Qu Yuan said, “When all the world in mud has sunk, Alone I'm clean; When all the people are drunk, Sober I'm seen.”(1) When everyone is dirty, we should be clean. When everyone is drunk, we should be sober. We should bear witness to Christ, to our faith and to a full and truthful life with our words, actions and way of life.

Jesus said, “Do not be afraid before others. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, no secret that will not be made known. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of those who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”

We should not be afraid of our peers or friends, nor fear being rejected by them. What we should be afraid of is to be rejected by God.

Some people are willing to be course and impolite when with their co-workers because they say, “when one is in the lake together, one is not one's own master.” But actually we can reject their suggestions.

There was once a Taiwanese merchant who often wore a cross on his chest. It is said it is not uncommon for Taiwanese businessmen to do business with their customers in the salons where sexual services are provided. However, this Catholic businessman clearly said to the others, “I am a Christian, I will not visit places like that. If you do business with me, business is all that we will discuss.”

At first some people could not accept such a strict style of doing business. Some of them even stopped doing business with him. However, people gradually found out that he was indeed an upright and just person. He had his own way of doing things, which did not need to involve bribery or any other unnecessary actions. In the end it was proved that his way was successful and more and more upright people were happy to deal with him.

Confucius' pupil, Ran Qiu, said to Confucius, “It is not that I do not delight in your doctrine, but my strength is insufficient.”(2) What he meant was, “Teacher, it is not that I do not like your teaching, I just do not have the strength to carry it out.” Confucius reminded him that “Those whose strength is insufficient give up in the middle of the way, but now you limit yourself.”(2) To paraphrase, Confucius was saying, “Did you say you did not have sufficient strength? Good! Then prove whether your strength is sufficient or insufficient. If your strength were really insufficient, you would give up halfway or “in the middle of the way”. But you said that you had insufficient strength right at the start. That is like drawing a circle on the ground and imprisoning yourself in it. You said that you could not step out of the circle without giving it a try. Do not forget! It was you who drew this circle. Therefore, it is you who “limit yourself.” It is you who do not want to step out of this circle.”

Sometimes, our children also “draw” this way. When we ask them if they understand, they immediately say “No”. When we ask whether or not they can do something, they will say “No” at once. When we ask them if they are willing to do something again their first reaction is “No”. In short, they only give negative responses.

As parents, we must help our children to establish the right kind of habits. So when they say “No”, we should correct them. We must convince them to first think whether or not they understand or can do something, before they a response and say “No” too quickly.

We all have this tendency to “draw”, because we are afraid. We are afraid to be rejected, we are afraid of failing. In fact, we are also afraid of ourselves.

Jesus says to us, “Do not be afraid, for you must testify to the truth and your faith. Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.”

When none of our classmates, companions or co-workers think that life is meaningful we should try to tell them or show them by our lives that life can have dignity and meaning. Life can be lived in a bright and shining way. This is the way to witness to Christ and to life.

‘Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows!’

(1)眾人皆濁我獨清，眾人皆醉我獨醒。
(2)非不說子之道，力不足也。力不足者，中道而廢；今汝畫。