The Gospel for The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (June 19, 2005)
Matthew 10:24-33
‘Disciple is not superior to teacher, nor slave to master. It is enough for disciple to grow to be like teacher, and slave like master. If they have called the master of the house “Beelzebul”, how much more the members of his household? ‘So do not be afraid of them. Everything now covered up will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops. ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. ‘So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of human beings, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of human beings, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven. -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
Against Persecutors
This is very likely colored by the very real persecutions that were worked on the followers of Jesus in the latter half of the first century. Nevertheless, the words of the evangelist should give us courage when we are faced with those against our Lord.
A Reflection
We fear the future for a thousand reasons, most of them results from our own doings (or sloth). How many of us fear what others might do to us because of a stand we take for Jesus?
Compared to those in the first century, we have it made. In the U.S. and western europe, especially, we're free to speak our minds and hearts in support of our religious convictions.
In the Moslem world and in China, the saints still become martyrs for proclaiming the Gospel, though. Where we fear an overdue mortgage payment, they fear imprisonment, torture, and execution.
Perhaps trying to discover a modern way of evangelism in a free country would be a fitting tribute to their continuing demonstration of love for Him?
The Collect
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your lovingkindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
6:55:44 PM 
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