Homily, 12th Sunday of the Year, Cycle A
Fear Produces Persecution; Persecution Produces Fear. Jeremiah 20:10-13 Psalm 68:8-10,14,17,33-35 Romans 5:12-15 Matthew 10:26-33 Love and fear are two important forces that rule the world. All actions are somehow connected with fear and love. A poor little bird on the tree saw below a cobra watching him closely. The bird was terrified and did not move. It was so overcome with fright, it could not move. It sat there for a very long time without food and drink. It was almost paralyzed. After a long time, it fell unconscious to the ground and became prey to the cobra. This is exactly what plays along with regards to faith, righteousness, persecution and fear. Fear is a disposition put into us by tyrants who compels our obedience through threats of harm, or harm itself. Infact, it binds together all the three readings. The light of God, which is the light of faith…