The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:30-31).
In today’s Gospel, we hear the Lord tell us to not be afraid. Persecution is on the horizon for those who follow Christ. And yet though that is the case, our God sees everything. He showed us the path to Heaven as His love for us took Him to the cross, a cross that He embraced. At Calvary, He showed us that even death could not separate us from His love. And that death is merely passing from this temporary life into the eternal one, where real joy and peace in all its fullness await us in the presence of our God. So when our eyes are fixed on Christ, He Himself will give us the courage we need to stay true to Him in this world. When we remember that there is someone in this world who loves you so much that they gave their life for you, everything changes. This is the kind of love that can’t be found in the world or through anyone else. It’s a love that knows the depths of our souls, counts our every breath, and despite the baggage we have carried is waiting with open arms for us to turn back. A love like this can’t be contained or concealed. There may be people in our lives at home, work, or school who want to know the reason for our hope. And there may be people who superficially know the reason and despise it. In all these circumstances, let us be ready to share Christ with courage, and most importantly, love.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of experiencing You and your infinite love. Thank You for the blessing of being able to live my faith without fear. Lord, I remember in a special way, all my brothers and sisters around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. I pray that You sustain them in their every need, and that when persecution comes to my door, You fill me with the same courage to proclaim Your love in this hurting world.
Merlyn S. Manattu, MD is the daughter of a loving King, wife of an incredible husband, mother of two precious girls, and a board-certified Family Medicine and Geriatric Medicine physician. Her faith has a great part in her calling, and she sees every interaction with someone in need as an encounter with Christ. She loves reading, exploring nature, cooking, and most of all, spending time with her loved ones.
