14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

I am sending you. . . . Do not worry.

Jesus makes it clear:   there are consequences to being sent out in his name.   He tells his disciples that they will be handed over, persecuted, and rejected.   But then he says something unexpected:  “Do not worry” (Matthew 10:19).   The Holy Spirit will be with them, he promises, speaking through them and showing them what they are to say and do.

Few of us will face imprisonment, beatings, or execution for sharing the gospel.   Nevertheless, every time we open our mouths to talk about the Lord, there is always the risk that someone will reject us or ridicule us.   To which Jesus says, “Do not worry.”

Why?   Because of who you are!

You are a new creation.   In Baptism, you were “born from above” as a child of God (John 3:3).   As a new creation in Christ, you share in Jesus’ calling to preach the good news.   Your identity comes from who God says you are, not from what other people might say or think.   So try not to worry about rejection.   God will always accept you even when no one else does.

You are justified.   “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).   You don’t have to wait until you’ve mastered every sin to share your faith.   Sins and weaknesses and past failures do not disqualify you from telling the good news today.   They might even make your words more credible!   God will compensate for your every inadequacy.

You are filled.   You are not on your own.   The Holy Spirit is in you and with you to sustain you, to direct your thoughts, and to speak through you.   You don’t need to worry about saying just the right words.   The Holy Spirit can give you the right thing to say, or simply give your words special significance for someone else.   He will even help you recognize the right time to say nothing at all.

God has equipped you to bring his love to a hurting world.   So don’t worry!   He has great confidence in you—a confidence based not just on your own gifts and abilities but on who you are in Christ Jesus.

“Father, thank you for making me a new creation.   Give me the courage to share your good news.”

Hosea 14:2-10
Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17