Gospel reflection for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

25th June – Don’t be afraid

Rumour and tradition tells us that the phrase do not be afraid appears in the bible 365 times! That’s one for every day of the year. Whether or not it actually does appear this many times in the bible, it still offers us hope, strength and courage when we are in doubt or struggling in any way. When Mary was called and chosen to be the mother of Jesus, we are told that she was deeply disturbed and wondered the words and message meant. Immediately she was encouraged with the words, ‘Mary, do not be afraid’. When Joseph heard that Mary was pregnant he was going to divorces her informally. But in a dream he had, he too heard these word, ‘Joseph, do not be afraid’. In each experience God called Mary and Joseph by their names and asked them to take on what seemed like an impossible task. But having being called, they were not to rely on their own strength and determination; God who called them would also strengthen, support and encourage them. They would never be alone.

Fear is part of life and part of each of our own daily lives. We are afraid of many things; failure, death, violence, the rise of terrorism and religious intolerance in our world and in our country. Donald Trump talks of building a wall. This is the language of separation, segregation and exclusion. It is neither the message nor the values of the gospel.

Like Mary and Joseph each of us is called by name by God. We are called to be examples and witnesses of Jesus in our world today. In the gospel, Jesus asks us to declare ourselves for him in the presence of others. At times this can be difficult and challenging. The values of the gospel are often and generally not the values of the world. Through the quality of our daily lives and how we behave, we are to be the real and credible witnesses to Jesus and his gospel. We won’t be left on our own, Jesus will be with us. As Mary and Joseph were called and encouraged, so too will we with the words, ‘do not be afraid.’

Let us not be afraid of what is being asked of us. Let us not be paralysed by our fear. Instead, let the words of Pope Francis encourage us, ‘go out again and again, without fear and proclaim the good news which is for all people’.

• Michael Moore OMI