Gospel: Proclaiming the Gospel

Today marks the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Gospel reading is according to what has been written by St Matthew.

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."

In today's scriptural readings, Jesus tells us to never be afraid to proclaim the Gospel. As the mission begins, Jesus recognize the perilous journey ahead in proclaiming the good news. Salvation comes with a price, and just as what happened to Jesus on the cross, so shall his disciples must drink the same cup.

But the Lord is faithful to his promises. When the time comes that a faithful will be killed for proclaiming the good news, Jesus tells us to never be afraid, because nothing that is living that falls on the ground that God does not know. Martyrdom is a grace from God. It is a gift. People can kill the body, but not the soul. But it is God who glorifies the soul, so there is no need to fear.

Consequently, Jesus also tells us to proclaim what has been told in secret. If the three young shepherds did not have the courage to tell the whole world about the Fatima apparitions, then we will never realize the importance of prayers for those who are suffering in purgatory.

Proclaiming the Gospel comes in many form. Just as the water purifies us during our baptismal, so are we strengthened as we strive to become holy. Sainthood is a gift, and it is never in vain to work for the Lord. Grace is talking to us personally and that is what motivates us to serve.

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The Gospel is sponsored by MX3, the Leading Natural Food Supplement in the Philippines.