Sunday, June 21, is the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33.

The Lord speaks to us of a central struggle in life: fear. The positive role of fear is to alert us, indicating that something is wrong, and to divert us from danger. But we often fear the wrong things while lacking a sober fear of the right things.

The Lord sets forth the proper object of our fear:

Jesus said to the Twelve: “Fear no one … 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 …”

Jesus is asking us to consider what and whom we fear most. Whom do you fear more, men or God, honestly?

God is the proper object of our fear. Jesus teaches very provocatively, referring to Gehenna. Some think that this text refers to Satan, but Satan is not our judge and has no authority to cast us into hell. Jesus is referring to himself. Many are uncomfortable thinking of the Lord this way, preferring to think of Christ just waving everyone through to heaven. But this is not what Scripture teaches.

Jesus also says in this passage:

“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.”

This proper fear is not rooted only in the dread of punishment (though if that’s all you’ve got, go with it). It is a reverential fear that remembers God’s love for us and his desire to save us.

Jesus further says,

“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.”

Sunday takeaway: Balanced fear takes seriously our need to prepare for judgment and to avail ourselves of God’s graces in the sacraments, the liturgy, his word and prayer.

Do not be afraid.