WEEKLY REFLECTION
Today, after choosing the twelve, Jesus sends them to preach and instructs them: “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.”

Next, He sends His apostles to preach the Kingdom of God to a world full of hostility. Jesus knew very well the weaknesses and strengths of the people He is sending.

There are enough reasons to be afraid. Missionaries are not welcomed in many parts of the world. Preachers and priests are martyred. Even ordinary Christians are ridiculed and persecuted by forces seen and unseen.

Almost 3 years ago, was a pandemic that has affected billions of people. People have lost their loved ones and their livelihood. Can humanity surmount all of these troubles? Jesus is telling us, do not be afraid. Though the world seems to be in darkness, God who created it is in control. He sees everything including our secrets. He knows everything including the number of our hair. He can do anything, and no one is above Him! 

Do not be afraid. Though our fear seems to grow bigger, we have a God who is bigger. He is the God of history. Pandemics came and ended before. Wars happened and ended before. Environmental disasters took place and ended before. Is there any problem that God cannot solve?

Do not be afraid. We are more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37) Courage is what heroes are made of and we love stories of heroes, don’t we? God loves us as to make us. He loves us as to redeem us when we got lost due to sin. As He sent His apostles before, He is sending us now to bring the Good News to a world that is full of treachery and enveloped by darkness. Let us never be afraid. In His eyes, we are worth more than many sparrows. His grace alone is sufficient to see us through. (2 Corinthians 12:9)