Scripture Reflection - June 21, 2026

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 20: 10-13 Psalm 69 Romans 5: 12-15 Matthew 10: 26-33

“So do not be afraid;  you are worth more than many sparrows.”

The readings for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to reflect on courage, trust, and God's unwavering presence in the midst of life's uncertainties.

In the first reading, Jeremiah speaks from a place of deep anguish. Surrounded by his enemies and betrayed by those he once trusted, Jeremiah faces persecution and mockery for speaking God's truth. Despite the terror and plots of his enemies, he places absolute trust in the Lord and proclaims, "The Lord is with me, like a mighty champion."

The psalm echoes this same experience. Although the psalmist feels isolated, misunderstood, and rejected, he continues to cry out to God. He believes that God’s love is stronger than rejection.

In the Gospel, Jesus prepares his disciples for the challenges they will face. He does not promise them an easy road. Instead, he tells them three times, "Do not be afraid." Jesus knows that fear can silence truth, weaken conviction, and discourage discipleship. His words are not a command to ignore danger but an invitation to trust that God's loving care extends even to the smallest details of our lives. If God notices every sparrow, how much more precious are we in God's sight?

Paul's letter to the Romans broadens our perspective. Through Adam, sin and death entered the world; through Christ, grace and life overflow abundantly. The forces of sin, fear, and division do not have the final word. God's grace is greater than human failure; God's love is stronger than death itself.

These readings speak powerfully to us in our own time. The God who sustained Jeremiah, heard the cries of the psalmist, and raised Christ from death continues to accompany us today. We live in a world marked by uncertainty, conflict, violence, and anxiety about the future. Many people fear rejection, loss, illness, economic insecurity, and the challenges facing our Church and society. Like Jeremiah and the early disciples, living a gospel-centered life can feel counter-cultural. Where is God calling you to step out of the shadows and live your faith with courage?

Sr. Mary T. Flood, OP