Gospel Reading
Jesus said to the Twelve:
"Fear no one.
Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;
what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;
rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy
both soul and body in Gehenna.
Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?
Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Everyone who acknowledges me before others
I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
But whoever denies me before others,
I will deny before my heavenly Father."
Gospel Reflection
Praised be Jesus Christ!
It is challenging to deny the fact that we live in a post-Christian world. The society in which we live continues to promote grave disobedience to God in the form of same-sex marriage, abortion, euthanasia, and gender reassignment surgeries just to name a few. All of these things are contrary to the consistent teaching of the Church which is based on Scripture and Tradition. In addition, these practices run contrary to Natural Law (which is also Divine Law).
In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us not to conceal the Truth, but to proclaim it. He tells us not to be afraid of those who kill the body since they cannot kill the soul. Instead, we should be obedient to the one who ultimately passes judgment on our actions, God the Father.
In the First Reading from today's Mass, we hear from Jeremiah the fate of those who speak God's truth to a society unwilling to hear it and live it: denounciation and vengeance. In our time, it's called being "canceled." But, Jeremiah -- and we -- are promised Eternal Life if we sacrifice to remain true to the moral norms God has given us. It is easy to remain silent in the face of societal claims of "my truth" and of possessing greater sophistication than God's Laws. Sometimes, it can feel easier to remain quiet rather than suffer the outrage of influential groups. Today is a good opportunity to ask Our Savior, Who is "the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life," to give us fortitude and courage (Gifts of the Holy Spirit) so that we can tap into His strength to boldly proclaim the Gospel in our daily lives.
As always, know of my prayers before Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament.
+Bishop Schlert
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