2026 Cycle A - 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jer 20:10-13; Ps 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35; Rom 5:12-15; Matt 10:26-33

Homily Theme

The Power of Love  over Fear

In the first Reading Jeremiah is under attack and has many reasons to Fear for his life, but his Love for God is stronger than his Fears.  This week we will cry out with the Psalmist, Lord, Lord in your great Love answer me. As you pray the Psalm this week, hand over all your Fears to Him who will help you in times of distress. Nobody loves you as much as God does. He will answer you and give you needed strength. 

Everyone Fears something, during the course of their lives, some have more Fears than others. What is your greatest Fear? Do you Fear because you are not in a State of Grace and have not been to confession to rid yourself of that Fear  ? God loves you so much that nothing that you have done could hurt Him if you come to Him and confess whatever it is that causes you to Fear. Do not delay always come to confession to remove every sin and experience the great Love of God flow in your soul. St Paul tells us this week that all have sinned. Christ died for those sins so hurry and receive His great love with a cleansing for your soul in Confession.  Think of it as a bath for the soul. You will be glad that you did it.

Do you fear the pain of death? The early Christians suffered martyrdom singing as they entered the lions den. St. Thomas More said he was not the stuff of which martyrs were made of, but when the time came for him to be beheaded, he was Fearless. St. John tells us in 1 John 4:18 that perfect love cast out all Fear. Do not be afraid because you Fear something. It is human and understandable. Jesus sweat blood in the Garden during his agony but His perfect Love conquered the human Fear.

St. John tells us in 1 John 4:4-18 that perfect love casts out all fear.  One of the greatest forms of Fear is phobia and there are many different kinds of phobia. Some fear crowds, others fear other enclosures or Heights.  Be afraid of serious sin and non repentance after. Such as  Missing Mass on Sunday and Days of Obligation or receiving  Holy Communion in a state of Mortal Sin. These are some of the things you should fear.  

Do not be afraid because you have feared something. It is human and understandable. Jesus sweat blood in the in the Garden and His Perfect Love overcame it as He took up His Cross to Calvary. Don’t let fears win, take up your cross and follow Jesus and feel His Love bring you peace.

Don’t leave Mass this Sunday  clinging on to any of your Fears.  Win with Love.