Homily for the 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time, August 7, 2022. The Gospel of St. Luke 12:32-48. Theme: Have No Fear Little Flock…
Jesus says a lot of things in this Sunday’s Gospel, but the words that really jumped off the page and caught my attention are found in the opening line: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” This short little sentence from Jesus touches my heart and awakens hope within me. I think that it teaches us three lessons that can totally transform the quality of our lives.
The first is that he assures us that we never need to live in fear. You know, I think it’s very interesting that Bible scholars have said that one version or another of the phrase “do not fear” is found in the Bible 365 times. It’s as if God doesn’t want us to go a single day throughout the entire year without hearing his words of comfort! Jesus speaks this message repeatedly to us because he knows how easy it is for fear to take hold of our lives. There are so many things these days that can invade and disturb peace of heart and mind. Worry, panic, anxiety and the like can become so paralyzing and rob us of the inner serenity and interior joy that God wishes us to experience.
Trusting that God is in control of our lives can enable us to reject fear and live in serenity. Our faith in him assures us that he is a wise and loving Father who has promised to make all things work out for the benefit of those who love him. When it comes to the various experiences and events in our lives, God either wills for something to happen or at least permits something to happen. But whatever it is and however it comes to pass, God guides it to all work out in the end for our ultimate good because he alone sees the entire picture of our existence, from conception into eternity. Our task in all this is to simply trust because we know that ultimately the Lord has our backs.
The second lesson that Jesus gives us in today’s Gospel is found in his calling us his “little flock”. These words of possession and endearment reveal the intimacy of his gentle and compassionate heart. Nothing was more precious to a shepherd than his flock. He watched over each lamb and sheep within it even to the point of defending them with his own life. Calling us “his” reveals not only that we belong to Jesus, but that he will remain with us throughout the ups and downs of life. He will walk with us as our good shepherd, seeing to the proper care and protection of each one of us. Once we truly grasp this reality of the depth of his love for us, we can more confidently reject temptations to fear, to be afraid. As the Scriptures tell us, perfect love casts out all fear.
Third and lastly, Jesus’ words remind us that we need not fear because we are called and chosen to live within the shelter of the Kingdom of God. Jesus once said that “the kingdom of God is within you” and this becomes a living reality for us especially when we receive him in Holy Communion. This makes total sense to me because a kingdom is where the King lives, and so through our reception of the Eucharist, Jesus the King lives within us. This awesome truth should help drive out all fear from our hearts and increase our trust in God. We do not need to be afraid any longer because we carry within us the King of kings and Lord of all the universe!
So, when we find ourselves in times of worry and we feel the old grip of fear beginning to tighten itself around us, let’s repeat to ourselves these words of our compassionate Lord Jesus: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.”
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