12th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A - Fear Not & “Keep Me Safe, O God”
These days, there aren’t many people immune to anxiety. Whether parenting, enduring a layoff, fighting cancer, or just trying to make it through the day, we are all facing a world of troubles that have potential to wreak havoc on our mental health. For anyone also seeking an antidote to restlessness, this weekend’s readings have something to say about peace and God’s presence that is worth exploring.
In the first reading from Jeremiah (Jer. 20:10-13), the prophet speaks of his persecutors insulting him, trying to incite fear and failure. Despite his enemies’ bullying and fear mongering, Jeremiah is assured: “The Lord is with me.” It is consoling to remember that the challenging thoughts that arise in anxious moments come from a voice that is seemingly not our own nor God’s. Instead, when we pause and listen, we notice that God shows up as a peaceful, energetic response to anxiety.
Though anxious thoughts can seem all-consuming, we are not alone in moments of darkness. Peace is near. In today’s Gospel (Mt. 10:26-33), Jesus tells the disciples, and therefore us, that he speaks in darkness. We resonate with this, as God speaks in the figurative darkness in our head. “In whispers,” Jesus reminds us in this passage. When the intrusive thoughts invade, we remember that we can quiet the “mean” voices when we are still. We acknowledge the voices in one breath, and in the next we hear a whisper, reminding us that we are resilient, loved, and alive.
This is God’s voice, a gift that brings stillness and peace. May we continue to notice it and relish in it. May we also cultivate the peace we meet, not only for ourselves, but also for those around us who might need a reminder that God is near.
In honour of these readings, we would like to share our latest video, "Keep Me Safe, O God", a beautiful hymn written by John Foley, based on Psalm 16 and recorded live by our Parish’s combined Easter Vigil choir. The hymn is a prayer calling to the Lord, “Keep me safe O God, you are my hope.”
Video can be watched by clicking here or on the picture below:
