Homily 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A I 21 June 2026 I Homily 21 June 2026 Year A

 My dear friends, today we celebrate the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A. Today’s

readings speak to a very real human experience—fear, rejection, and feeling alone in our

struggles. Yet, they also remind us that in the midst fear, God stands with us, calling us to trust

Him and live with courage.

The prophet Jeremiah lived in the late 7th and early 6th century BC, during a time when Babylon

was rising, and Judah was in danger. His message warned the people that judgment was coming,

so many leaders and neighbors rejected him and treated him as a troublemaker. The first reading

comes from such a time of public shame, fear, and deep inner struggle. Jeremiah hears people

whispering against him, waiting for him to fail. Even his close friends are watching for him to

stumble. Jeremiah feels surrounded by fear and betrayal. Yet, in the middle of this fear, Jeremiah

declares, “But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior.” Faith is not the absence of fear, but

trust in the middle of it. Though he feels weak, he knows God is strong. Jeremiah trusts that God

sees everything and will bring justice. The passage ends not in despair, but in praise. Even after

expressing fear and pain, Jeremiah chooses to praise God for rescuing the needy from evildoers.

This movement—from fear to trust, from struggle to praise—is at the heart of the passage. This

reading speaks to our own moments of fear, rejection, or discouragement. Like Jeremiah, we

may feel alone or misunderstood. But God is not absent in our struggles. He stands with us, even

when others stand against us. Faith does not mean we never feel afraid—it means we continue to

trust God despite our fear. Jeremiah does not pretend that life is easy; he brings his hurt to God.

His example tells us that faith is not always cheerful feelings, but a decision to trust God when

life is heavy. When people whisper against us, God still sees the heart, knows the truth, and

remains near. When was the last time you felt cornered like Jeremiah? What was your response?

In the second reading taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, St Paul explains the reality of

sin and the greatness of God’s grace in a simple but powerful way. He says that sin entered the

world through one man—Adam—and because of sin, death came into the world. This means that

all human beings are affected by sin; it is part of our shared human condition. Even before the

Law of Moses was given, sin was already present, and death affected everyone. Paul is trying to

show how deeply sin has touched humanity. We see this in our own lives—in selfishness, broken

relationships, and wrong choices. Sin separates us from God and from one another. But the heart

of this passage is not about sin—it is about grace. Paul introduces a contrast between Adam and

Christ. While Adam’s one act brought sin and death, Jesus Christ’s gift brings forgiveness and

life. And this gift is not small or limited; it is abundant. God’s grace is greater than human sin.

Paul wants us to understand that no matter how widespread sin is, God’s love is even more

powerful. Where sin brought loss, Christ brings restoration. This reading invites us to be honest

about our human weakness but also to have deep hope. We are not trapped in sin. Through Jesus,

we are offered a new beginning. It reminds us that God does not treat us as our sins deserve.

Instead, He pours out His grace freely. Our task is to accept this gift and live in that

grace—choosing love, forgiveness, and new life each day.

I remember a young person in our parish who was very shy, and hesitated to join the youth

group. One day, I gave him a small opportunity—to be the emcee for a church function. He was

nervous, but he tried. That one step changed everything. Slowly, he began to participate more,

became active in the youth group, and eventually went on to represent the parish at the diocesan

and even national level. What held him back was not lack of ability, but fear. In today’s Gospel,

Jesus speaks directly to this human experience of fear. He knows they will face rejection and

opposition. That is why He keeps saying: “Do not be afraid.” And He says the same to us today:

Do not be afraid. Jesus understands that fear can silence us, weaken us, and stop us from doing

what is right. He reminds them that the truth cannot remain hidden forever. What is whispered in

secret will one day be proclaimed openly. The disciples are called to speak boldly, not hide their

faith. The message of God’s love is meant to be shared, not kept in silence. He then teaches them

about fear itself. People may harm the body, but they cannot destroy the soul. Only God holds

ultimate power over our lives. This shifts our focus—from fearing people to trusting God. When

God is at the center, fear begins to lose its grip on us. Then Jesus offers a beautiful image. He

speaks of sparrows—tiny birds that seem unimportant—yet not one of them falls without God

knowing. And if God cares for such small creatures, how much more does He care for us! He

even knows every detail about us. This shows how deeply personal God’s love is. And finally,

He calls them to courage in faith. “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge

before my Father.” Faith is not meant to be hidden; it is meant to be lived and witnessed. We all

struggle with fear—fear of being judged, rejected, or misunderstood. Sometimes we keep quiet

about our beliefs or values to avoid discomfort. But Jesus reminds us that we are never alone.

When we trust in God’s care and love, we find the strength to rise above our fears. Courage does

not mean the absence of fear, but choosing to stand firm in faith despite it. So this week, do not

let fear silence you. Speak, act, and live your faith—because your voice matters to God. Do not

be afraid. May God bless us all.