In His Footsteps
Jesus calls us, bold and true,
To share our faith in all we do.
Stand for right, though trials near,
In His footsteps, we persevere.
Persecution, challenges, we face,
Yet find strength in His embrace.
God’s approval, our guiding light,
In His justice, we find our might.
If He cares for sparrows small,
Surely, He cares for us all.
His presence constant, provision sure,
In His love, we are secure.
Courageous hearts, in faith we rise,
Walking with Him, our greatest prize.
Through every storm, His peace we find,
In His footsteps, our hearts aligned.
REFLECTION:
“Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops." (Matthew 10:26-27)
Jesus calls us to be courageous in sharing our faith and standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult. As followers of Christ, we will face persecution, challenges and opposition in our faith journey just as He did but shall find strength knowing that we are walking in His footsteps.
We should always prioritize God’s approval over human approval and trust in His ultimate authority and justice.
If God cares for the smallest creatures, He certainly cares for us. This reassures us of His constant presence and provision in our lives.
A Prayer for Courage and Faith
Lord Jesus,
You call us to be courageous,
To share our faith and stand for what is right,
Even when the path is difficult and fraught with challenges.
As Your followers, we know we will face persecution,
Just as You did.
Grant us the strength to walk in Your footsteps,
Finding solace in Your unwavering presence.
Help us to prioritize Your approval over human praise,
Trusting in Your ultimate authority and justice.
If You care for the smallest creatures,
We are reassured of Your constant care for us.
Lord, fill our hearts with courage,
And our spirits with steadfast faith.
Guide us through every trial,
And let Your love be our guiding light.
In Your holy name, we pray,
Amen.
Pericope:
III. Ministry and Mission in Galilee
COMING PERSECUTIONS / COURAGE UNDER PERSECUTION
Matthew 10:16-25 / 26-33
Gospel Acclamation
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you.
Gospel | Matthew 10:24-33
24 Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he become like histeacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! 26 “Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 27 What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 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. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. 30 Even all the hairs of your head are counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. 33 But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
Background:
Matthew 10:24-33 is part of Jesus’ instructions to His disciples as He sends them out to preach and heal. This passage emphasizes the challenges and persecutions they will face, but also reassures them of God’s care and the importance of their mission.
Here are some key points:
Discipleship and Persecution: Jesus warns that His disciples will face the same treatment He does. If people called Jesus “Beelzebub” (a name for Satan), His followers should expect similar accusations.
Fear and Courage: Jesus repeatedly tells His disciples not to fear. He assures them that everything hidden will be revealed, and they should boldly proclaim the truth.
God’s Care: Jesus uses the example of sparrows to illustrate God’s care. If God cares for sparrows, He certainly cares for His disciples, who are more valuable.
Confession and Denial: Jesus emphasizes the importance of acknowledging Him before others. Those who do will be acknowledged before God, while those who deny Him will be denied.
This passage encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, despite opposition, and to trust in God’s providence and protection.
Learning Lessons:
Matthew 10:24-33 offers several profound lessons for believers:
Embrace Persecution: Jesus reminds us that as His followers, we will face persecution just as He did. This teaches us to expect challenges and opposition in our faith journey, but also to find strength in knowing we are walking in His footsteps.
Fear God, Not Man: Jesus emphasizes the importance of fearing God rather than people. This means prioritizing God’s approval over human approval and trusting in His ultimate authority and justice.
Proclaim the Truth Boldly: Jesus encourages His disciples to speak the truth openly and without fear. This lesson calls us to be courageous in sharing our faith and standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult.
Trust in God’s Care: The analogy of sparrows illustrates God’s intimate care for us. If God cares for the smallest creatures, He certainly cares for us. This reassures us of His constant presence and provision in our lives.
Confess Christ Publicly: Jesus highlights the importance of acknowledging Him before others. This teaches us the value of openly professing our faith and the promise that Jesus will acknowledge us before God.
These lessons encourage us to live boldly and faithfully, trusting in God’s care and guidance.
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
