Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

12^th Sunday of the Year – June 21, 2020

 Readings: Jer. 20:10-13.; Responsorial Psalm Ps 68:8-10,14,17,33-35; 

Rom 5:12-15 & Gospel Matthew 10:26-33.

Theme: Fear Not!

Sunday Synopsis

In the first reading (Jer. 20:10-13), the Prophet Jeremiah decries the antics of the wicked against the good man but expresses trust in God who is able to deal with evil men. In the second reading, (Rom 5:12-15) St. Paul reveals how sin entered the world through one man, Adam and redemption was equally won by one man, Jesus. The gospel (Matthew 10:26-33) tells how Jesus told the twelve not to be afraid as everything hidden would be uncovered. Our liturgy urges us not to be afraid but trust in God as he has the ability to do much more than we can ask or imagine.

Introduction

Friends in Christ, fear has been adjudged as man’s greatest enemy. It makes you feel inferior and lose out on many things in life. Fear has led many people to their early graves. This reminds us of a quote from William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: “A coward dies a hundred times before his death.” Aware of the devastating effects of fear, Jesus charges us (Matthew 10:26-33) thus: “Do not be afraid...” In this reflection titled “Fear Not,” we shall consider the types of fears there are and suggest possible ways of combating them in the light of the gospel.

Background and Summary of the Readings

In the first reading (Jer. 20:10-13), the Prophet Jeremiah decries the antics of the wicked against the good man but expresses trust in God who is able to deal with evil men. He, however, maintains: “My opponents will stumble, mastered, confounded by their failure; everlasting, unforgettable disgrace will be theirs.” He adds that the Lord who is just and scrutinizes the loins and the heart would indeed deliver the soul of the needy from the hands of evil men. 

In the second reading, (Rom 5:12-15) St. Paul reveals how sin entered the world through one man, Adam and redemption was equally won by one man, Jesus. He further discloses how the new Adam brought divine grace, an abundant free gift as ultimate remedy for sin and fear.

The gospel (Matthew 10:26-33) tells how Jesus urged the twelve not to be afraid as everything hidden would be uncovered. He adds: “What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, tell in the daylight, proclaim from the housetops.” He also encouraged them not to be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul adding that there is no need to fear. He surmised that anyone who does not declare him before others, he would disown in the presence of the father.

Types of Fear

1. Negative Fears: This consists of fear of the past, fear of the future, fear of the unknown, fear of holiness, fear of being caught and the fear of men. Its subtypes include:

a). Fear of the Past: Today, many people are caught up in web of past sins or guilt of things they may have done in their lives a long time ago. Because they are held down by guilt and self-pity, they are afraid that others might come to know their former ways and judge them.

b). Fear of the Future: Because most young are tossed about by the vicissitudes of life, they fear the future. Many young people are deceived into astrological horoscope or zodiac signs wanting to know their fate in life; the fear of what the future holds for them has landed many young people in the hands of crooks. Parents too are preoccupied with what the future holds for their kids. Some end in the hands of fortune tellers who dupe them of their hard earned money and valuables.

c). Fear of the Unknown: Fear of the unknown takes place when people become paranoid suspecting everything and anyone around them to the point that they are nihilistic – fear of the unknown makes them to doubt everything, including the existence of God. These people easily have premonitions that evil is lurking around the corner.

d). Fear of holiness: Most young people are afraid of holiness. There is a tendency that holiness is for the aged or those who have chopped life in Nigerian parlance. Perhaps this is why the Holy Father, Pope Francis has consistently called on young people not to be afraid of embracing holiness. 

e). Fear of being Caught: There is growing fear of not being caught which further plunges some people into sin. Popularly called the 11^th commandment, “thou shall not be caught,” the fear of being caught actually makes people to commit sin. 

f). Fear of Men: In the gospel, Jesus warned “Don not be afraid of those who cannot kill the soul.” This is indicative that our fear should be directed to God not human beings. More often than not, we fear our parents, spouses or superiors more than God. We are often prepared to displease God in order to please human beings. This is what constitutes fear of men.

2. Positive Fears: We shall consider the fear of sin, fear of hell and fear of God as positive fears in the light of Jesus’ charge: “Do not be afraid:”

a)  Fear of Sin: As children of God, we are called to fear sin. This is positive fear because if we shun sin, God’s abiding presence would remain with us. As such, Jesus calls us to be afraid of sin so as to please God.  

b)  Fear of Hell: Contrary to the opinion that doing good because one is afraid of hell is not good, it is noble to realize the danger of losing one’s soul which Jesus talks about in the gospel so as to amend one’s ways and make heaven. If the fear of hell would make us to make heaven, so be it.

c). Fear of God: This is holy or awesome fear which emboldens us to keep God’s Commandments. It is not fear in the negative sense but an awareness of God’s supremacy over us. This further entails reverence for God and for all that is holy. It is this kind of fear that prevents us from committing the sin against the Holy Spirit.

Pastoral Lessons

1. Trust God: Although the scenario painted by the Prophet Jeremiah in our first reading that terror is on every side aptly captures what is happening in our country today, we are challenged to commit our cause to God who has the power to deal with our enemies and bring them to a wretched end.

2. Stand for the Truth: Both Jeremiah and Jesus challenge pastors of souls not to be on the fence in matters of injustices but to be bold and courageous in speaking truth to power.

3. Be Prayerful: Jeremiah’s prayer to God presents us with some panacea to the needless fears and worries that confront us in daily life - As such, we ought to be prayerful and guided by biblical principles.

4. Imitate the New Man: St. Paul urges us to imitate the new Adam by taking advantage of the divine grace which Christ offers us as a free gift to live a life of grace.  

5. Confront Your Fears: Our liturgy calls us to combat fear by confronting it head-on bearing in mind the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul…”

6. Avoid Excuses: We are reminded that excuses and complains are best strategies the devil uses to drain us physically, emotionally and spiritually as well as distract us on our earthly mission.

Summary Lines

1. In the first reading, the Prophet Jeremiah decries the antics of the wicked against the good man but expresses trust in God who is able to deal with the evil.

2. In the second reading, St. Paul reveals how sin entered the world through one man, Adam and redemption was equally won by one man, Jesus.

3. He [Paul] further discloses how the new Adam brought divine grace, an abundant free gift as ultimate remedy for sin and fear.

4. The gospel tells how Jesus told the twelve not to be afraid as everything hidden would be uncovered.

5. He [Jesus] also urged them not to be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.

Conclusion

In conclusion, since our liturgy presents us with faith in God as the ultimate remedy for sin and fear, we are urged to appropriate our redemption in Christ. As such, illness (COVID-19), hunger, recession, persecution and even death cannot threaten us because one Man, the Christ, paid the price for our redemption. We shall return home today with a handy weapon in our kitty, that is, Jesus words: “Do Not Be Afraid, I have conquered the world” (John 16:33). Without knowing the cause of an illness, remedy would not be in sight. The Prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 20:10-13) found God as that fitting solution. Jesus invites us to overcome our fears by trusting in God. Have a fabulous week ahead!