"Therefore do not be afraid of them. 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.

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe in you; make my faith ever stronger. Lord, I hope in you; make my hope firm and constant. Lord, I love you; make my love deep, faithful and expansive.

Petition: Lord Jesus, fill me with your life. 

1. Therefore do not be afraid of them The Church echoes these words of Christ: The faithful should bear witness to the Lord's name by confessing the faith without giving way to fear. (CCC 2145) Am I, in practice, really afraid? How often do others hear me speak about my faith and values, and how often do they see me them lived out in action, publicly? Do I pull back when I think others wont accept me living my faith sincerely?

Inevitably, the eyes of the crowd will learn whether I am an authentic Christian or not. The command of Christ, Be not afraid, therefore, is spoken for a reason. Christ wants to instill courage in my heart. Am I ready to be brave? He needs me to be his witness. Nothing will happen to me that Christ has not already overcome.

Actually, Jesus, the Good Teacher, prepares me ahead of time: Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. These are the words of Christ that lead into the excerpt quoted above. The thought of what will happen to my reputation if I stand up for my faith in public and turn the other cheek instead of striking back can indeed make me feel vulnerable. The teeth of so many wolves, real or imagined, seem bared at me. Yet Christs logic is very different from my natural instincts, and the conclusion he draws from his is: do not be afraid. If that is not how I think perhaps I should open my heart and be filled with his grace to persevere:

Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. The Lord is my strength and my song. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (CCC 1808)

2. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light. My conscience is a very dark and hidden place if I am unfaithful, that is, if what the Holy Spirit prompts in my heart never sees the light of day. Christs own voice speaks in my depths so many times and he wants me to be his mouthpiece. What I hear and realize in the secret of my heart in prayer and in contemplating Christs example needs to find outward expression in the reality of my daily life. Others need to learn the truth and love of Christ from me. Now I have heard his command more clearly: What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light. He has given me a mission.

St. Paul describes this experience: For we do not preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for the sake of Jesus. For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of (Jesus) Christ. But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:5-7) So, Jesus truth is my truth. If I am weak, then his grace makes me strong.

As the Universal Church prepares to celebrate the Jubilee Year of St. Paul, my heart should burn with the desire to spread the faith. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! (Cfr. 1 Corinthians 9:16) Christ has not lit my lamp in order to put it under a bed, rather, to place it upon a lamp stand, so that by it all may see. (Cfr. Luke 8:16) What darkened corner of the earth does Christ invite me to shine his light upon? How many souls salvation relies upon my fidelity to the mission?

St. Paul also describes this sense of mission: For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring (the) good news!" (Romans 10:13-15)

Send me, Lord! My life for Christ!

3. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. Fidelity has eternal consequences. If I am faithful, the Day of Judgment will be a day of reward for me. Christ wants to promote me. I have a lifetime to spend, and an eternity to earn. If I make Christ known to the souls entrusted to me, Christ will make me known to the heavenly Father: Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. I shall enter the inheritance of God. I shall share Christs friendship and brotherhood in perfect communion with all the souls who likewise have responded to Love with love.

Conversation: Grant me, Lord Jesus, a knowledge so deep of you that I cannot help loving you, and an experience of your love so profound that I cannot help imitating you. Let me shine forth your light in the world around me. Let me teach souls about your love. Send me wherever you need me. My life is for you!

Questionnaire:

1. What was the most recent thing that happened that shows me how I must still need to grow in courage?

2. Has this passage from the Gospel allowed me to reflect on the truth that God knows all things, even what is held secretly in my heart?

3. Even if no one else notices, could it be that I fail God many times when I have been prompted to act with charity in word or deed, only to be negligent? How would I best overcome these sins of omission?