A
reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew. Jesus said to his Apostles: ‘A
disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough
for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they
have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign
those of his household!
‘So
have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and
nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell
in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not
fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can
destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet
not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even
the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more
value than many sparrows.
‘Everyone
therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my
Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before
my Father in heaven. This is the word of the Lord. (Mt 10:24-33)
“Have
no fear of them” Jesus told his twelve apostles when he was instructing them
before sending them on mission. Who are those who the apostles should not fear?
What is the source of this fear? A few verses before today’s gospel selection
Jesus warns the apostles: “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst
of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them.” I can
imagine a question coming to their minds: “Why is he sending us like sheep to
face wolves?” Indeed, he did not send them to face wolves, but he knew that
wherever they went they would find wolves, and they would have to face them.
Jesus himself faced this problem. When he became man, the Son of God knew that
he would be among friends and foes, those who would listen to him and help him
and those who were always planning against him. That is why he told them also
that “it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like
the master”. It seems to me that Jesus wanted to encourage them on their
mission, so he told them not to fear, and he wanted to channel their enthusiasm
at the power given to them, for the apostles could easily rejoice at their
success so Jesus told them “not to rejoice that the spirits are subject to them; but to rejoice that their
names are written in heaven”. (cfr. Lk 10,
20)
