Summary: Jesus tells us not to fear those who can harm the body but cannot touch the soul. God knows every detail of our lives, and those who acknowledge Him will be honored before God.
Gospel Acclamation: Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life. (James 1:12)
Jesus said to the Twelve: “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. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”