Matthew 10:26-33: Courage Under Persecution
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Do not be afraid . . . Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.
When we are filled with fear that a loved will abandon us when we speak truth, we must not be afraid. God is with us to guide us.
When we are anxious that a colleague at work or a community friend has set us up to fail, we must not be afraid. God is with us to guide us.
What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
God speaks to us in the quiet of our hearts and counsels us. We must say the words he urges us to say.
God speaks to us through the companions who journey beside us. We must witness to the injustices God urges us to uncover.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Our mortal life is worth nothing if it houses a hollow soul. God knows all that is within us.
Our spirit cannot be stifled when our soul has invited God to dwell within. God knows all that takes place around us.
Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
There is no doubt that evil exists and those who doubt its existence invite the darkness into their hearts.
There is no doubt that God exists and those who nestle into God’s goodness know that God’s compassion and desire to forgive knows no limit.
Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.
God is all-present and all-knowing and has the power to do as he likes and yet, God is incredibly patient, allowing us time to decide to turn to God.
God is all-loving and all-powerful. God rescues us from our craziest follies.
Even all the hairs on your head are counted.
God knows us inside and out. It is impossible for God to not think about us.
God’s love for us is unimaginable, all-encompassing, everlasting. It is impossible for God to not love us.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrow.
When we are tempted to succumb to the demands of a loved one in order to keep peace, we must not be afraid. God will show us a marvelous way for us to extract ourselves that will leave a wake of healing rather than a trail of shame.
When we are tempted to give way to the unscrupulous request of a colleague at work or a community friend, we must not be afraid. God will guide us through the intricate plans of deceit that have been plotted against us.
Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
God wants us to be with God for all eternity. This is something we cannot change.
God wants to number each of us as loyal and faithful servants. This is something we can choose.
But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.
God does not hide God’s goodness and light under a bushel basket. And neither must we.
God does not leave any stone unturned in his effort to gather even the last of his sheep. And neither must we.
Do not be afraid . . . have courage, and know that even under persecution – especially under persecution for Jesus’ sake – you are well-guided, you are well-protected, you are well-loved.
When we are persecuted, we must stand on the knowledge that God holds the faithful in God’s hands. And we must trust these hands to see us through any danger, any pain, any sorrow, any loss.
And so we pray with a canticle from Wisdom 3:1-6 . . .
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us utter destruction. But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.
Amen.
A re-post from September 21, 2011.
Images from: https://www.backtothebible.org/post/strengthening-your-discipline-of-prayer
The Noontimes 