12th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Jer 20:10-13
Ps 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35
Rm 5:12-15
Mt 10:26-33

Hello, I'm Franciscan Father Greg Friedman with the "Sunday Soundbite" for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Just after the Holy Father died in April, I spoke with a group of college students about their difficulties in witnessing to faith on campus. They told me both their Catholic and non-Catholic friends challenge them daily. They're bombarded with questions—about Mary, confession, the priesthood, for example. In labs and classrooms and internships, they're confronted on abortion, stem cell research and end-of-life issues.

In many ways, these young Catholics face more challenges than I do behind the safety of a Roman collar or habit. I couldn't give them all the answers I'd have liked, as we ended our discussion. But I did assure them that as part of the Church, they have the gift of the Holy Spirit and the support of their brothers and sisters as they try to live their faith.

Those college students might identify with the prophet Jeremiah in today's first reading. He hears the whisperings of his enemies around him; people waiting to trap him—and some of them were friends of the prophet! But Jeremiah is confident that God is with him.

In the Gospel, Jesus encourages us to be bold in the task of witnessing to him. And as for the opposition? "Fear no one," the Lord declares. Despite physical harm and even bodily death, our witness will result in the only approval that really counts, Jesus and the Father.

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Scripture:
•“Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!” (Jeemiah 20:13)

•For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not. (Psal 69:34)

•…how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. (Romans 5:15)

•Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. (Matthew 10:32)

Reflection:
•Who are the poor?

•How do you acknowledge God?

•What gift of Jesus overflows to you?

•What is your gift that overflows to others?

For Mercy has a human heart,
Pity a human face,
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress.

And all must love the human form,
In heathen, turk or jew;
Where Mercy, Love and Pity dwell
There God is dwelling too.

The cistern contains; the fountain overflows.