YOUR WORTH

July 12, 2025 Saturday within the 14th week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 10:24-33 In today’s gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for the cost of discipleship. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.” These words remind us that to follow Christ is to walk His path—one marked not by comfort, but by courage. If Jesus Himself was misunderstood, mocked, and persecuted, how can we expect anything different? This is not a call to fear, but a call to fidelity. In a world that often resists truth and light, discipleship means standing firm, knowing that we are not walking alone—we are walking in His footsteps. Jesus then urges us not to be afraid: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Fear can silence the Gospel, but faith empowers us to proclaim it. We are not meant to hide truth in darkness or whisper it in secret—we are called to speak it boldly in the light. In our own time, standing for what is right can come at a great cost: rejection, ridicule, even persecution. But Jesus assures us that our lives are not in the hands of this world—they are in the hands of the Father. Our mission is not to be safe, but to be faithful. Finally, the heart of this Gospel beats in the words: “You are worth more than many sparrows.” God’s love is not abstract or distant—it is intimate, detailed, personal. Every hair on our head is counted. This divine attentiveness gives us strength. When we feel unseen or insignificant, God sees. When we feel afraid to stand for Him, He reminds us: if we acknowledge Him before others, He will acknowledge us before the Father. This is the promise that sustains the heart of every true disciple—courage rooted not in pride, but in being deeply known and eternally loved. Blessings Fr. Jhack