This whole chapter of Matthew brings together and sums up what Jesus has to say to his apostles about declaring his teaching in the face of hostility and persecution. Jesus himself was fearless in proclaiming his message. He ‘taught with authority’, as the gospel constantly tells us. His disciples are sent out to do the same. We do not often meet with real persecution, although it may yet happen.

The martyrs of communist Russia or Vietnam lived many years of peaceful Christianity before unexpectedly facing martyrdom. The monk martyrs of Algeria did not reckon on martyrdom when they went to Algeria. The only preparation for martyrdom can be fidelity and prayer. More often we face mockery for holding to Christian principles, and that too can be difficult to bear. We can be accused of narrow mindedness, lack of appreciation of human values, blind obedience, sentimentality, naivety, and a host of other hurtful slurs. Jesus did not promise that the Father would prevent the sparrows falling to the ground! Neither is it always easy to respond to such slurs with the patience and generosity as well as the truthfulness which Jesus would have shown. ‘A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar’, said St Francis de Sales.

Do I fearlessly proclaim the Gospel? What situations in the coming week might require courage? How can I grow in courage?