Twelveth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Massimo Palombella
In today’s Gospel (Mt 10:26-33) three times Jesus tells his apostles “do not be afraid”.
Jesus’ “do not be afraid” to the apostles is addressed to each one of us. Indeed, fear often becomes the guiding criterion for all our choices. Fear of being alone, fear of the judgement of others, fear that our image – so scrupulously constructed – will be shattered, fear of losing our security… Fear forces us to invest our best energies not to live but to defend ourselves, to hold our positions and, imperceptibly, takes away our ability to live in reality. In order to give a name to our fear – which manifests itself in different ways – and to slowly learn to transform it into a resource, the Lord asks us to go “beyond”, which means leaving behind what is not necessary, freeing ourselves from what we consider – or have been taught – to be indispensable. Fear holds us down, forces us into a world that is not real, limits our life, prevents us from taking ownership of our existence. The Lord awaits us in our fear to lead us beyond it, to that ‘life in abundance’ that only with Him can we experience.
The Offertory antiphon for today’s celebration is taken from Psalm 16 (Ps. 16, 5. 6. 7), with the following text:
“Perfice gressus meos in semitis tuis, ut non moveantur vestigia mea:
inclina aurem tuam et exaudi verba mea:
mirifica misericordias tuas, qui salvos facis sperantes in te, Domine.”
(Make my steps firm on your paths, that my feet may not waver;
bend your ear and hear my words;
make your mercies admirable, you who save those who hope in you, Lord).
The attached music, in Gregorian Chant, is taken from the Graduale Triplex published in Solesmes in 1979. The music track can be found on YouTube, where there is no indication of interpretation.
A blessed Sunday and heartfelt greetings.
