Homily: Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Jeremiah 20:10-13; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33
21 June 2026
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA
Whenever I had to make major decisions in life, Mama always gave me sound advice. Even though she has already passed away, I still seem to hear her voice whenever I face difficulties or important choices. Her words continue to guide me.
Can you relate to that? Who is the voice of reason in your life? Whose voice do you trust when life becomes confusing or difficult?
Today, many voices influence our thoughts and feelings, some more than others. The voice of fear is often loud. It says, “What if you fail?” “What if people reject you?” “What if things do not work out?” The voice of criticism can be just as loud: “You are simply not enough.” “You are not very good.” The voice of bad news and self-doubt can also be similarly loud. Many of us are surrounded by these voices. We hear them in conversations, on social media, in the news, and sometimes even in our own minds.
In the First Reading, Jeremiah hears people whispering against him. They are waiting for him to make a mistake. They are hoping to see him fall. He describes it as “terror on every side” (Jeremiah 20:10). In those moments he was deafened by the voice of fear. Thankfully, Jeremiah also hears another voice. In the midst of all the accusations and threats, he declares: “The Lord is with me, like a mighty champion” (Jeremiah 20:11). His enemies were still there. His problems had not disappeared. What changed was the voice he chose to trust.
In the Gospel, Jesus repeatedly tells His disciples, “Do not be afraid” (Matthew 10:26, 28, 31). He knows that they will face opposition and rejection. Yet He wants them to remember that fear does not tell the whole story—
FEAR says, “You are alone.”
FAITH says, “The Lord is with you.”
FEAR says, “You are not enough.”
FAITH says, “Even the hairs of your head have all been counted” (Matthew 10:30).
FEAR says, “You do not matter.”
FAITH says, “You are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31).
Jesus knew that the world would meet His disciples with such opposition that any ordinary person would easily give in to fear and doubt. However, He assures them that they need to have faith that God will carry them through.
Moreover, in the Second Reading, St. Paul reminds us that while sin entered the world through Adam, God’s grace entered the world through Jesus Christ and is even greater (Romans 5:15). In other words, God’s grace is always bigger than our failures, our weaknesses, and our fears. Our worst mistakes do not have the power to defeat God’s love for us. While sin is a reality we all face, Christ’s love and mercy completely cancel the power of sin over our lives. We no longer have to live as captives to our past or our shortcomings. With God’s grace, our failures will never have the final say.
Perhaps the message we need to hear today is that not every voice deserves our trust; not every voice deserves a place in our hearts. The voice of fear is often the loudest voice, but the loudest voice is not always the truest voice. The truest voice is God’s voice.
God’s voice is often quieter. It comes through prayer, through Scripture, through the encouragement of good people, through the gentle assurance of the Holy Spirit. It is only God’s voice that speaks the truth. It is God’s voice that reminds us of who we really are.
Thus, whenever fear tells us that we are alone, unwanted, or incapable, let us remember the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:31)
We will hear many voices every day. The real question is: Which voice will we believe? May we choose the voice of faith. May we choose the voice of Christ. And may that voice be the one that guides our lives!
Walking on Water,
Painting by Yongsung Kim,
Painted in 1883, Oil on canvas
© Yongsung Kim artist
Sunday Gospel Reflections 