1. Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time A June 25, 2017
Bible Study Guide
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time A June 25, 2017

2. 1st reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13
10 Jeremiah said, I hear the whisperings of many: "Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!" All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. "Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him." 11 But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. 12 O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause. 13 Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!
The focus is on the suffering of the prophet Jeremiah.

3. 1st reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13
Plotting against Jeremiah
10 Jeremiah said, I hear the whisperings of many: "Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!" All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. "Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him."
Faith of Jeremiah
11 But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion.
The Prayer of Jeremiah
12 O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause.
Praise
13 Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!

4. 1st reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13
Plotting against Jeremiah
10 I hear the whisperings of many: "Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!" All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. "Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him."
Commentary
In v.10, Jeremiah is aware of the plots of his enemies against him.
He hears them say, “Terror, denounce him…”
He identifies his enemies as his former friends who are now keeping their eye on him.
His enemies are watching and want to trap him for any wrong move or decision.
They want to take revenge. They might have been badly hurt by Jeremiah’s preaching.

5. 1st reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13
In v.11, Jeremiah consoles himself by acknowledging the Lord’s protection.
He predicts the downfall and failure of his enemies (persecutors).
They will be put to (utter) shame
They will be put to confusion (lasting and unforgettable).
Faith of Jeremiah
11 But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion.

6. 1st reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13
The Prayer of Jeremiah
12 O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause.
Praise
13 Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!
In v.12, Jeremiah understands what he is undergoing right now.
He sees it as God’s way to test him (to probe his mind and heart, to probe his loyalty to him).
He sees himself as a just man (doing God’s will, communicating God’s unsettling message to the people).
Jeremiah wants to see how God will take vengeance on his enemies.
God will take revenge upon Jeremiah’s enemies.
The reason: Jeremiah has entrusted his cause to him.
V.13 anticipates Jeremiah’s salvation.
In parallel form, Jeremiah shouts with joy: “Sing to the Lord // praise the Lord!”
V.13 summarizes the point of the whole text.

7. Reflections on the 1st reading
Sometimes we feel like the prophet Jeremiah, especially if we are given a big task.
That big task may be to announce or denounce something which people don’t like to hear.
That big task may run counter to the interest of a group.
And we face reactions, objections and threats.
Now like Jeremiah, we should take refuge in the Lord.
He will defend us and put our enemies to shame and confusion (if we are just and we put our trust/case in him).

8. Resp. Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me. 8 For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. 9 I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my children, 10 Because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
14 I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God! 17 In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness; in your great mercy turn toward me.
33 "See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! 34 For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not. 35 Let the heavens and the earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them!''

9. Resp. Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35 Commentary
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me. 8 For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. 9 I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my children, 10 Because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
14 I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God! 17 In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness; in your great mercy turn toward me.
33 "See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! 34 For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not. 35 Let the heavens and the earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them!''
Commentary
The psalm is classified as individual lament.
Vv. 8-9 indicates that it is a prayer who is suffering from insult, shame and rejection.
He is suffering because he loves the Temple (house of God). He does not want it to be disrespected. The liturgy must be in proper order.
Vv. 14 and 17 are pleadings for God’s favorable response.
Vv are exhortations by the psalmist to the humble and poor to praise God.

10. Reflections on the Psalm
The poor and disaffected have a big place in the heart of God.
They should find strength and consolation in him.
Those who want meaningful liturgies and relationships must find solace in God, when persecuted.
God does not frustrate the poor. They may just have to work harder yet and wait.

11. The focus is on the contrast between Adam and Christ.
2nd reading: Romans 5:12-15
12 Through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law. 14 But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come. 15 But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by that one person's transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one person Jesus Christ overflow for the many.
The focus is on the contrast between Adam and Christ.

12. 2nd reading: Romans 5:12-15 Commentary
V.12 traces the coming of sin and death through one person (Adam)
V.13 says that sin came with the law. There was no sin, when there was no law (mosaic law).
V.14 says that death has been there from Adam to Moses (since creation up to the Sinai event), and even to those who did not sin (who are they?) (who is it?)
The answer is Jesus (the one who is to come).
V.15 follows up the pattern of v.12 in another way. This time the focus is on the gracious gift of the one person Jesus Christ.
12 Through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law. 14 But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come. 15 But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by that one person's transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one person Jesus Christ overflow for the many.

13. Contrast between Adam and Christ
Adam (one man) brings
Sin
Death
Law
Trespass
Transgression
Christ brings
Gift
Grace of God
Gracious gift of the one person

14. Reflections on the 2nd reading
There is a great contrast between the first man (Adam) and Christ.
The contrast highlights the saving grace of God.
Though the sin brought by the one man (Adam) pervaded humanity (because all have sinned too), all the more Jesus’ grace overflowed to many.
God’s grace is never outdone by sin.
God’s instrument to bring his grace is Jesus (who took courage to be a man, to work as a man and to die as a man).
To establish communion, we must take courage to be humans. If we are inhuman, we destroy communion.

15. Gospel reading: Matthew 10:26-33
26 Jesus said to the 12: Fear no one. 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.
The focus is on fearing not.

16. Gospel reading: Matthew 10:26-33
Courage to proclaim
26 Jesus said to the 12: Fear no one. 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.
Courage to face persecutors
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.
Courage to acknowledge and its reward
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.

17. Gospel reading: Matthew 10:26-33
Courage to proclaim
26 Jesus said to the 12: Fear no one. 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.
Commentary
Jesus is addressing himself to the apostles in their role as missionaries. They have to be courageous to proclaim and to face their persecutors.
Jesus assures them of his love and support and their reward.
In v. 26, Jesus asks his apostles to take courage, to be men… to proclaim what he has revealed to them.
V.27 repeats v.26 in a different manner: to proclaim what they heard in the dark (in secret, when they were alone with him).

18. Gospel reading: Matthew 10:26-33
Courage to face persecutors
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.
Courage to acknowledge and its reward
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.
V.28 repeats the exhortation in v.26. “Do not be afraid.” But this time, it is an exhortation to face one’s enemy (objector of their message, persecutor, and killer)
Vv indicate the importance of the two sparrows, but for God, his apostles are more valuable than the sparrows.
V.31 repeats vv.26 and 28.
Vv talk about “acknowledging God” and its reward.
The missionary should not be afraid to acknowledge Jesus before others.

19. Reflections on the gospel reading
Jesus exhorts his apostles to take courage in their work as missionaries.
The apostles should not be afraid to talk and to proclaim God’s kingdom.
They may encounter hostilities along the way. But they have to take courage just the same.
God will take care of them, as he even takes care of the “less important” sparrows.
We, Christians, are also missionaries who are called to be courageous in our work and in the face of opposition and death.
The reward is great. God will acknowledge us too.

20. Tying the 3 readings
The first reading talks about Jeremiah’s courageous suffering in the face of his persecutors (with laments).
The second reading talks about the graciousness of God (God’s grace) to us sinners, once victims of sin and death. We must be grateful to Christ who took courage to die for us to save us.
The gospel encourages us in our missionary work, in the face of opposition.
The preacher must focus on being courageous in work in the midst of oppositions.

21. How to develop your sharing
Are you easily discouraged when you are given a job?
When you are easily discouraged when doing your mission (because people say you are not doing the right thing or your way of doing it is not good), Jesus has this to say: Take courage.
In the gospel, the apostles were sent for a mission.
They were not experts in speaking and evangelizing.
Their listeners were not prepared to accept anything from them. They did not readily buy their ideas and beliefs.
Many of them were unreceptive and intimidating. Why should these men waste their time talking nonsense?
The apostles allowed themselves to be made courageous by the Holy Spirit.

22. The apostles faced opposition because they touched the sensitivities of people who preferred the rule of power and gold rather than of God.
They wanted to remain in their comfort zones (former beliefs).
Their preaching made faces sour because they asked for conversion, change of value system, paradigm shift. Who are they to tell them that?
The apostles had to take courage in order to accomplish their mission.
If we are overcome with fear, we cannot do anything.
We cannot participate in God’s mission.

23. In the first reading, Jeremiah courageously, though he was lamenting, faced his enemies who plotted against his life.
Jeremiah knew beforehand what would happen to him when he opens his mouth to denounce the abuses of the authorities and their wrong decisions.
Jeremiah was also a victim of mudslinging, false testimonies, outright resistance and physical violence.
Yet, Jeremiah did not stop. He felt he could not be at peace if he just kept quiet.
With courage and a sense of mission, Jeremiah had to pinpoint the sins / fault of the people and the whole nation.
In his sufferings, he was talking to God (praying).

24. The second reading must lead us to appreciate the courageous mission of Jesus.
His mission was to overcome sin and death.
Therefore, we listeners must align ourselves with Christ.
Through the courage of Christ, grace has come to us.
Because of the merits of Christ, we are saved.

25. What happens when we do not have any courage?
We cannot accomplish anything.
We cannot share in the mission of Christ.
We can easily be discouraged when we meet criticisms.
We discontinue / give up our work easily. We fizzle out in the middle of the work.
Those who do not have courage are the ones who don’t know or appreciate the will of God for them.
Fear comes out of ignorance and lack of nurturance or lack of self-confidence or low self-esteem.

26. The Eucharist is a sacrament of courage.
It encourages us to participate in God’s mission.
In the Eucharist, Jesus comes down to us to dispel our fears.
In the Eucharist, we encounter the brave Christ who did his mission up to the last drop of his blood, effecting salvation to all of us believers.
The Eucharist is the source of strength to those who feel persecuted because they work hard for God.

27. Our Context of Sin and Grace
Terror and violence
Paranoia
Phobia / Fear of authority, of the new, of the unknown,
of separation, of the dark, and of death
Evildoers, and Grafters have no fear of God
Discouragement
Fear of God
Courage to witness the faith
Openness to new things
Inspiring and encouraging others
Works of mercy & compassion
Metanoia
The End!