A Scripture Reflection for Father's Day

by Fr. Joseph Ruan

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In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus sends out the twelve disciples with missionary instructions. He tells them not to be afraid, reminding them that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without the foreknowledge and providential care of the Heavenly Father. Fr. Joseph Ruan offers a bilingual reflection on the Scriptures, a fitting gift for this Sunday, which happens to be Father's Day.

Fr. Joseph's reflection is included below, in Chinese and then in English:

Scripture Reflection in Simplified Chinese:

常年期第十二主日（甲年）

今天的福音中，耶稣连续三次对门徒说：「不要害怕」（玛10:26、28、31）。在短短几节经文中，这句话重复出现三次，可见这是耶稣特别强调的信息。事实上，整部圣经不断出现「不要害怕」这句话。当天主召叫亚巴郎时，祂说：「不要怕，我是你的盾牌。」（创15:1）当梅瑟带领以色列子民面对红海时，他说：「你们不要害怕。」（出14:13）当天使向圣母玛利亚报喜时，也说：「玛利亚，不要害怕。」（路1:30）因为自从原祖父母犯罪后，罪恶进入了世界，恐惧便一直伴随着人类；而天主不断向人保证，祂始终与自己的子民同在。

今天福音的背景是玛窦福音第十章记载耶稣派遣十二宗徒出去传教。在派遣他们之前，耶稣并没有向他们描绘一条轻松的道路。相反，祂清楚告诉他们，将会遭遇拒绝、迫害、诬告，甚至因为祂的名字而受到憎恨（玛10:17-22）。因此，当耶稣三次说「不要害怕」时，这是在困难已经被预告之后所给予的鼓励。这份鼓励并非建立在人性的乐观上，而是建立在对天主的信赖上。

耶稣首先说：「你们在人面前不要害怕；因为没有一件掩盖的事，将来不被揭露的；也没有一件隐秘的事，将来不被知道的。」（玛10:26）接着又说：「我在暗中对你们所说的，你们要在光天化日之下说出来；你们所听到的耳语，要在屋顶上宣扬出来。」（玛10:27）这里所谈的是传扬福音的使命。宗徒们所领受的真理，不是为了收藏，而是为了宣讲。在耶稣公开传教期间，许多人并不了解祂的身份，甚至误解祂、拒绝祂。然而，当耶稣完成救恩工程以后，门徒们必须勇敢地向世界宣告福音。福音最初只在巴勒斯坦一个小地区传播，后来却传遍世界各地。真理有时会被遮蔽，有时会遭到反对，但真理本身不会消失。光明最终会驱散黑暗，真理终将显露出来。因此，基督徒不要因为环境的压力而沉默，也不要因为别人的眼光而放弃信仰。

接着耶稣说：「你们不要害怕那杀害肉身，而不能杀害灵魂的人；宁要害怕那位能使灵魂和肉身一同投入地狱中的。」（玛10:28）这是福音中最值得深思的一句话。现代人十分重视身体健康、财富保障、社会地位和生活安全，这些都是天主赐予的恩惠，也值得珍惜。然而，耶稣提醒我们，人的生命有比肉身更深的层面，那就是灵魂与天主之间的关系。肉身生命终有结束的一天，灵魂却面向永恒。耶稣并非要我们轻视生命，而是帮助我们建立正确的价值次序。当一个人为了保存眼前的利益而放弃真理，为了避免损失而背弃良知，为了获得世俗的成功而远离天主时，他失去的远比得到的更多。许多殉道圣人之所以能够坚持到底，就是因为他们深信永恒的生命比现世的一切更加珍贵。

中国文化中有一句话：威武不能屈。孟子用这句话赞扬那些在强权和压力面前仍然坚持正义的人。基督徒的勇气同样来自内心对真理的坚持，但这种力量更来自对天主的信赖。因为我们相信，生命最终掌握在天主手中，历史最终也掌握在天主手中。

随后，耶稣用一个非常生动的比喻来说明天父的眷顾：「两只麻雀不是只卖一个铜钱吗？但是若没有你们天父的许可，连一只也不会掉在地上。」（玛10:29）在耶稣时代，麻雀是市场上最廉价的鸟类之一，穷人可以买来食用。耶稣故意选择这样一种最不起眼的生物，来说明天主的照顾无远弗届。连麻雀这样微不足道的小生命，都在天主的眷顾之中，更何况是按照天主肖像所创造的人呢？

因此耶稣继续说：「就是你们的头发，也都一一数过了。所以，你们不要害怕；你们比许多麻雀要贵重得多呢！」（玛10:30-31）这句话并不是告诉我们天主真的在计算每个人有多少根头发，而是用一种极其生动的表达方式来说明天主对我们的认识和关怀。祂知道我们的过去，也知道我们的现在；祂了解我们的喜乐，也了解我们的忧伤；祂看见我们的努力，也看见我们的软弱。很多人在人生低谷时会怀疑自己的价值，觉得自己被遗忘、被忽视、被抛弃。然而，在天主眼中，每个人都是独一无二的，每个人都是祂深爱的儿女。

今天的第一篇读经正好为我们提供了一个具体的榜样。耶肋米亚先知因为忠实宣讲天主的话而受到攻击。他说：「我听到很多人的耳语：惊慌四起！你们揭发谁，我们就必对他提出控诉。」（耶20:10）甚至连他的朋友都在等待他跌倒。面对这样的处境，耶肋米亚也曾感到痛苦和孤独。然而，他最后仍然坚定地宣告：「上主与我同在，他好像一位孔武有力的战士。」（耶20:11）耶肋米亚的力量来自天主的同在。正因为相信天主没有离弃他，他才能在重重压力之下继续完成自己的使命。

第二篇读经则把我们的目光带到更广阔的救恩历史之中。圣保禄指出：「因一个人的过犯，众人都死了；那么，天主的恩宠和那因耶稣基督一人的恩宠所施予的恩惠，就要更丰富地赐给众人。」（罗5:15）亚当因违背天主的命令，把罪恶和死亡带进世界，基督的恩宠却为世界带来了新的生命。今天人类面对的许多恐惧，归根结底都与罪恶和死亡有关。我们害怕失去，害怕衰老，害怕疾病，害怕死亡，因为这一切都提醒我们自身的有限。然而，基督藉着十字架和复活战胜了罪恶和死亡，也为我们开启了永恒生命的大门。因此，基督徒面对未来时，心中始终怀有希望，因为我们知道死亡并不是终点，天主的恩宠远远超过人的软弱。

今天在美国也是父亲节。福音中关于天父眷顾的教导，使我们特别想到父爱的意义。中国人常说：父爱如山。高山不会天天说话，却默默支撑着大地；许多父亲也是如此。他们为了家庭辛勤工作，为了子女默默付出，承担责任，承受压力，却很少提起自己的辛劳。地上的父亲用有限的方式表达爱，天父则以无限的慈爱照顾我们。耶稣告诉我们，连麻雀都在天父的眷顾之中，连我们的头发祂都知道。这样的天父永远不会遗忘自己的儿女，也永远不会离弃那些信赖祂的人。

今天福音最重要的信息，就是邀请我们把恐惧化为信赖。当真理受到挑战时，我们不要害怕；当信仰遭遇考验时，我们不要害怕；当面对疾病、衰老和人生风雨时，我们也不要害怕。因为上主如同耶肋米亚所说，是孔武有力的战士；因为基督已经战胜了罪恶和死亡；因为天父认识我们、爱护我们，并时时刻刻看顾我们。

让我们把耶稣今天的话深深铭记在心：「你们不要害怕；你们比许多麻雀要贵重得多呢！」（玛10:31）希望这句话成为我们生活中的力量，在顺境中怀着感恩，在逆境中保持信德，在人生的每一个阶段都坚定地信赖天父的慈爱与照顾。

Scripture Reflection in English:

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus repeats the same command three times: “Do not be afraid” (Mt 10:26, 28, 31). Whenever Jesus repeats something, we should pay close attention, because He is emphasizing a truth that His disciples will need throughout their lives. Fear is one of the most universal human experiences. People fear sickness, aging, financial uncertainty, failure, loneliness, rejection, and death. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, fear has accompanied humanity. Yet throughout Sacred Scripture, God continually reassures His people. When God called Abraham, He said, “Do not fear; I am your shield” (Gen 15:1). When Moses stood before the Red Sea with the Israelites trapped behind him, he declared, “Do not be afraid” (Ex 14:13). When the angel appeared to Mary at the Annunciation, he said, “Do not be afraid, Mary” (Lk 1:30). Today’s Gospel continues that same message: God is with His people, and therefore they need not live in fear.

To understand today’s Gospel properly, we must remember its context. Matthew chapter 10 contains Jesus’ missionary discourse as He sends the Twelve Apostles out to preach. Before sending them, Jesus does not promise comfort or success. Instead, He warns them that they will face opposition, persecution, rejection, and even hatred because of His name (Mt 10:17-22). Therefore, when Jesus says, “Do not be afraid,” He is not offering shallow encouragement. He is preparing His disciples to remain faithful in difficult circumstances. Their courage must rest not on optimism or self-confidence but on trust in God.

Jesus first says, “Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known” (Mt 10:26). He continues, “What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops” (Mt 10:27). Here Jesus is speaking about the mission of proclaiming the Gospel. The truth entrusted to the Apostles is not meant to remain hidden. During His public ministry many people misunderstood Jesus, rejected Him, or failed to recognize who He truly was. After His death and resurrection, however, the disciples would be called to proclaim openly what they had received from Him. The history of Christianity confirms the truth of Jesus’ words. What began as a small group of disciples in a remote corner of the Roman Empire eventually spread throughout the world. Truth may be opposed, misunderstood, or temporarily obscured, but it cannot be destroyed. God’s light eventually overcomes darkness. For this reason, Christians must not allow fear of criticism, social pressure, or public opinion to silence their witness to Christ.

Jesus then speaks a second time about fear: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Mt 10:28). These words challenge us to examine our priorities. Modern society places enormous value on physical health, financial security, social status, and personal success. These are important gifts and should be appreciated. Yet Jesus reminds us that human life has a deeper dimension. The body is mortal, but the soul is destined for eternity. Jesus is teaching His disciples to see life from the perspective of eternity. A person may preserve wealth, reputation, or comfort and still suffer a profound spiritual loss. Many saints and martyrs remained faithful under persecution because they understood that eternal life is worth more than anything this world can offer. Christian courage flows from the conviction that our ultimate destiny rests in God’s hands.

Jesus then offers one of the most beautiful images of divine providence in the Gospel: “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge” (Mt 10:29). In the marketplace of Jesus’ day, sparrows were among the cheapest birds available. They were small, common, and of little value. Jesus deliberately chooses this image to demonstrate the Father’s care. If God watches over even the smallest and least important creatures, how much more does He care for those created in His own image and likeness?

Jesus continues: “Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Mt 10:30-31). Jesus is not teaching that God literally spends His time counting every hair. Rather, He is using vivid language to reveal how intimately God knows and loves each person. God knows our past, understands our present struggles, and sees our future. He knows our joys and our sorrows, our strengths and our weaknesses. Many people experience moments when they feel forgotten, insignificant, or unimportant. Today’s Gospel speaks directly to those fears. In God’s eyes every human person possesses immeasurable dignity and worth. No one is overlooked. No one is abandoned. No one is unloved.

The First Reading provides a powerful example of such trust. The prophet Jeremiah faced hostility because he faithfully proclaimed God’s word. He heard people whispering against him and plotting his downfall (Jer 20:10). Even friends watched for his failure. Yet Jeremiah ultimately declared: “The LORD is with me, like a mighty champion” (Jer 20:11). His courage came from the certainty that God had not abandoned him. The same confidence sustained the prophets, the apostles, the martyrs, and countless believers throughout history.

The Second Reading places our fears within the larger story of salvation. St. Paul teaches that through Adam’s sin, death entered the world, but through Jesus Christ God’s grace overflowed to humanity (Rom 5:12-15). Much of human fear is rooted in the reality of sin and death. We fear loss because we are fragile. We fear suffering because we are vulnerable. We fear death because we recognize our limitations. Yet Christ has conquered sin and death through His Cross and Resurrection. Because of Him, death no longer has the final word. Christian hope rests upon the victory of Christ and the promise of eternal life.

This Sunday also coincides with Father’s Day. The Gospel’s teaching about God’s providence naturally invites us to reflect on fatherhood. Good fathers protect, provide, guide, and sacrifice for their families. Their love gives us a glimpse of the love of our Heavenly Father. Human fathers are imperfect and limited, yet through their care we can better understand God’s care. Jesus teaches us that the Father knows every detail of our lives and never ceases to watch over His children. As we honor our fathers today, we also give thanks for the Heavenly Father whose love never fails.

The central message of today’s Gospel is clear. When truth is challenged, do not be afraid. When faith is tested, do not be afraid. When life brings suffering, uncertainty, or loss, do not be afraid. The Lord remains with His people. Christ has conquered sin and death. The Father knows us, loves us, and watches over us with unfailing care.

May the words of Jesus remain in our hearts throughout the coming week: “So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Mt 10:31). Trusting in that promise, may we walk forward with faith, hope, and confidence in the loving providence of our Heavenly Father.

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Fr. (Joseph) Guozhang Ruan was born and ordained in China. After serving in parish ministry in the Diocese of Mindong, Fujian, he pursued advanced studies in moral theology in Rome, earning a doctorate from the Pontifical Lateran University. Since coming to the United States in 2004, he has served in several parishes in the Archdiocese of New York. He is currently the Director of the Chinese Apostolate for the Archdiocese of New York and Parochial Vicar of Holy Rosary Church on Staten Island. His ministry focuses on serving Chinese Catholics, promoting evangelization, and fostering greater understanding between the Church in China and the universal Church.

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