Gospel Reflection June 21 – Deacon Paul Zemanek

June 19, 2026

Sunday, June 21

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 10: 26-33

Gospel:

Jesus said to the Twelve:

“Fear no one.

Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,

nor secret that will not be known.

What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;

what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

And 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.

Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?

Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.

Even all the hairs of your head are counted.

So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Everyone who acknowledges me before others

I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.

But whoever denies me before others,

I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

Gospel Reflection:

Today, Jesus spoke to his Apostles about fear and the need to have faith. Jesus was speaking these words to his disciples as he was preparing to send them out on their mission to heal and to expel demons. And he warned them about the rejection and the persecution that they would face all because of him.

Jesus urged his followers not to fear whatever might happen to them. For they will suffer for the sake of God’s Kingdom just as Jesus did. And those who proclaim the gospel should not be afraid even if it means death. Instead, they should fear what would happen if they stopped living and proclaiming the gospel. Jesus was in essence encouraging his disciples not to be intimidated by the daunting challenge of their ministries.

Jesus said that even the cheapest life in the market, “two sparrows that sold for just a small coin” are in the watchful care of the Father. And that “even all the hairs of our head are counted.” For in the end when Jesus comes to judge the world he will “acknowledge us before his heavenly Father.” This should be of great encouragement for all of us.

Friends, “What is it that you are “afraid” of today?” Whatever it may be, when we receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, let us give over to the Lord that one powerful fear that keeps us from becoming the disciple that God wants us to be. Let us surrender our fear and let Jesus put it away forever.

Deacon Paul Zemanek