Décimo segundo domingo del tiempo ordinario

Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas: la Palabra de Dios de este domingo nos habla de la confianza en Dios, de no tener miedo y de las persecuciones que a veces enfrentan quienes anuncian con fe y valentía el mensaje del Señor. Así ocurrió con el profeta Jeremías, quien sufrió rechazo, burlas y amenazas por proclamar la verdad de Dios. Sin embargo, en medio de sus dificultades, pudo decir con confianza: «El Señor está conmigo como un guerrero poderoso». Al escuchar estas lecturas, quisiera invitarlos a reflexionar sobre algunas preguntas:

¿Has sido alguna vez criticado, ridiculizado o rechazado por causa de tu fe?

¿Hay algún miedo que estés cargando hoy en tu corazón?

¿Confías plenamente en Dios cuando llegan las pruebas y las dificultades?

En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús repite tres veces una misma invitación: «No tengan miedo.» No es una frase dicha al azar. Jesús sabe que sus discípulos encontrarán dificultades, incomprensiones y rechazo. Por eso, antes de enviarlos a anunciar el Reino, les recuerda que Dios cuida de ellos y que nunca estarán solos.

El miedo forma parte de la experiencia humana. Todos tenemos temores: miedo al fracaso, a la enfermedad, al rechazo, a la incertidumbre del futuro o a perder a las personas que amamos. A veces incluso tenemos miedo de vivir nuestra fe abiertamente por temor a las críticas o a la incomprensión de los demás.

La primera lectura nos presenta al profeta Jeremías, quien experimenta precisamente esos sentimientos. Se siente perseguido y abandonado por quienes lo rodean. Sin embargo, en medio de sus dificultades, proclama con confianza: «El Señor está conmigo como un guerrero poderoso.» Jeremías nos enseña que la fe no elimina los problemas, pero nos da la fuerza para afrontarlos con esperanza.

Jesús utiliza luego una imagen muy sencilla pero llena de consuelo. Habla de los gorriones, aves pequeñas que parecen insignificantes. Sin embargo, ni uno solo cae a tierra sin que el Padre lo sepa. Después añade algo extraordinario: «Ustedes valen más que muchos gorriones.» Con estas palabras, Jesús nos recuerda que somos preciosos a los ojos de Dios. Él conoce nuestra vida, nuestras alegrías, nuestras preocupaciones y hasta los detalles más pequeños de nuestra existencia. Él nos invita a confiar en el Padre y a saber que nuestras vidas dependen totalmente de él.

La segunda lectura nos recuerda que, si bien el pecado entró en el mundo por medio de Adán, la gracia y la salvación llegaron abundantemente por medio de Jesucristo. El amor de Dios es más fuerte que el pecado, más fuerte que el sufrimiento y más fuerte que cualquier miedo que podamos experimentar.

Por eso, el cristiano es una persona de esperanza. Nuestra confianza no está puesta en nuestras propias fuerzas, sino en la presencia fiel de Dios. Cuando sabemos que Dios camina con nosotros, podemos enfrentar las dificultades con serenidad y valentía.

Al final del Evangelio, Jesús nos invita a reconocerlo delante de los demás. Esto significa vivir nuestra fe con coherencia, dando testimonio de Cristo mediante nuestras palabras y nuestras acciones. Muchas veces el major anuncio del Evangelio no son los grandes discursos, sino una vida marcada por la honestidad, la bondad, el perdón y el amor.

Hoy el Señor nos dirige nuevamente su mensaje: «No tengan miedo.» Cualquiera que sea la situación que estemos viviendo, Dios nos conoce, nos acompaña y nos ama. Pongamos en sus manos nuestras preocupaciones y confiemos en su providencia.

Que la participación en la eucaristía fortalezca nuestra fe para vivir con la certeza de que estamos siempre bajo el cuidado amoroso de nuestro Padre celestial. Amén.

P. Luis Segura M.S.C.

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Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time – 2026

My dear brothers and sisters, the Word of God this Sunday speaks to us about trusting in God, not being afraid, and the persecutions that are sometimes faced by those who proclaim God's message with faith and courage. Such was the experience of the prophet Jeremiah, who suffered rejection, ridicule, and threats because he spoke God's truth. Yet, in the midst of his trials, he was able to say with confidence: “The Lord is with me like a mighty champion.”

As we listen to these readings, I would like to invite you to reflect on a few questions:

Have you ever been criticized, ridiculed, or rejected because of your faith?

Is there any fear that you are carrying in your heart today?

Do you fully trust God when trials and difficulties come your way?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus repeats the same invitation three times: “Do not be afraid.” These are not words spoken casually. Jesus knows that His disciples will face difficulties, misunderstandings, and rejection. Therefore, before sending them out to proclaim the Kingdom, He reminds them that God cares for them and that they will never be alone.

Fear is part of the human experience. All of us have fears: fear of failure, illness, rejection, uncertainty about the future, or losing the people we love. At times, we may even be afraid to live our faith openly because of criticism or misunderstanding from others.

The first reading presents the prophet Jeremiah, who experienced these very feelings. He felt persecuted and abandoned by those around him. Yet, in the midst of his struggles, he proclaimed with confidence: “The Lord is with me like a mighty champion.” Jeremiah teaches us that faith does not remove our problems, but it gives us the strength to face them with hope.

Jesus then uses a simple but comforting image. He speaks about sparrows, small birds that seem insignificant. Yet not one of them falls to the ground without the Father knowing it. Then He adds something extraordinary: “You are worth more than many sparrows.” With these words, Jesus reminds us that we are precious in God’s eyes. He knows our lives, our joys, our worries, and even the smallest details of our existence. He invites us to trust in the Father and to recognize that our lives depend entirely on Him.

The second reading reminds us that although sin entered the world through Adam, grace and salvation came in abundance through Jesus Christ. God’s love is stronger than sin, stronger than suffering, and stronger than any fear we may experience.

For this reason, a Christian is a person of hope. Our confidence is not placed in our own strength but in the faithful presence of God. When we know that God walks with us, we can face life's challenges with serenity and courage.

At the end of the Gospel, Jesus invites us to acknowledge Him before others. This means living our faith with integrity and giving witness to Christ through our words and actions. Often, the most powerful proclamation of the Gospel is not made through great speeches but through a life marked by honesty, kindness, forgiveness, and love.

Today the Lord speaks His message to us once again: “Do not be afraid.” Whatever situation we may be facing, God knows us, accompanies us, and loves us. Let us place our worries into His hands and trust in His providence.

May our participation in the Eucharist strengthen our faith so that we may live with the certainty that we are always under the loving care of our Heavenly Father. Amen

Rev. Luis Segura M.S.C.

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time A

I'd like to begin by wishing all fathers a grace-filled day.  Today we honor all fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, and fathers-to-be.  We also honor all those men and women who have mentored and cared for children who were not their own.  On this Father’s Day we also remember all those fathers who have gone before us.  We also honor St. Joseph who protected, mentored, and taught Jesus his trade and work ethics.  We ask that he pray for us and watch over us.

Our Gospel today is a continuation of last week’s Gospel.  Jesus has chosen His Apostles and summoned them to evangelize – to preach the Good News of Salvation, beginning in Israel. 

My friends, it’s important for us to remember that the Gospels were not just an historical account of Jesus on earth, written only for the people of that era.  They were written for us as well in 2026 because we are also evangelists or preachers in our era.

Note that Jesus told His Apostles not to be afraid three times in today’s short Gospel.  Jesus told them not to be afraid because they would be preaching His message of love of God and humanity and we know that His message was not accepted by many, especially the religious leaders. 

Jesus always spoke openly and told His Apostles to speak openly as well.  Jesus assured them:  “Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.”  In the end, the truth will always triumph.

In the second verse of our Gospel, Jesus gives His Apostles the most important trait of an evangelist or preacher:  Listening.  The evangelist must first listen to what Christ is saying:  “What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” 

No one can speak for Christ unless Christ has spoken to her or him.  No one can proclaim the truth unless they have listened to the truth from Christ.  No one can speak of what they do not know.

My friends, proclaiming the Kingdom of God will not always be easy as we heard Jeremiah in our First Reading.  If we speak against violence and oppression, and preach peace and justice for all people, we will surely be opposed by many.

Yet, Jesus tells us to “Fear no one.”  He reminds us that we are loved unconditionally by God.  St. Paul also encourages us:  “If God is with us, who can be against us?”  (Romans 8:31)

God has loved everything into creation.  Without the love of God, nothing would exist.  Jesus tells us explicitly that “Even all the hairs of your head are counted.”