By Praveen Bandula, CSC –
Readings: Gen 49: 29-32, 50: 15-26; Mt 10: 24-33
Who should one fear? Fear is a very common aspect of human life. There is no one in the world without fear. Fear can be spoken in many ways like fear of animals, birds, people, water or fire etc. Ultimate reason for the fear is fear of death. The reason why a person gets so much scared is he/she wants to live life to the full.
But today in the gospel reading Jesus tells his disciples not to be frightened about any one or death. The comparison between master and slave is very clear: when Jesus himself was crucified, what happens to his followers will be the same. The world hated him because they did not understand him.
Though he knew about his death, Jesus did not give up his spirit, he continued to be what he was sent for. Now he is inviting us to take him as a role model in the world so that we may not give up the spirit of Christ’s mission. He is training us to be strong enough to proclaim the good news amidst the trials and temptations. Even the whole world may stand against us to stop us from proclaiming Christ, but they won’t destroy our spirit.
It may be possible for them to hurt our body but not our spirit. In the first reading we see the brothers of Joseph acknowledged their mistake in front of him and how cruel they were to him. The fear seized them, so they tried to receive pardon from Joseph. But Joseph with all God’s wisdom forgave his brothers, because he knew that though his brothers intended to hurt him but God saved him so that he would be future of hope for them in the time of famine.
So let us not lose our heart when we face opposition in our ministry. Take courage and be strengthened in the spirit of Christ that he assured us to be with us till the end of the world. Have no fear of death, but hope for the kingdom of God which is the ultimate place of eternity.