“Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:30-31)
The major theme for this 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on our challenge of Evangelization to preach and share the Good News of Jesus Christ through our words and lives without fear, courageously giving testimony of God’s graces in our lives.
Fear is an emotion induced by perceived danger or threat, which causes physiological and behavioral changes, such as fleeing, hiding, or freezing from perceived traumatic events. Fear may occur in response to a certain stimulus occurring in the present, or in anticipation or expectation of a future threat or danger. Fear is judged as rational, which is appropriate or irrational, which is inappropriate and known as a phobia. Fear is closely related to the emotion of anxiety. The best way for us to mitigate fear is to trust in almighty God who always protects us.
The Bible teaches two types of fear: the Fear of God and the Spirit of fear. The Fear of God is beneficial and should be encouraged. This fear means a reverential awe of God, respecting for His power and glory, acknowledging Him through knowing Him and His attributes. The Fear of the Lord brings many blessings and benefits.
However, the Spirit of fear that is mentioned on 2 Timothy 1:7 (for example: fear of being alone, of being too weak, of not being heard, of lacking physical necessities, etc.) is detrimental, does not come from God, and should be overcome by trusting and loving God more and completely. The first letter of John says: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to lose our fear in evangelization, to follow Jesus Christ more closely, to repent our sins, to exercise our Christian stewardship, to use our time, treasure, and talents to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves, participating in the works of mercy, to accomplish God’s will in our lives to glorify God.