Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 21 June 2026
First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 10-13
The Lord is with me like a dread warrior; therefore, my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonour will never be forgotten. (11)
Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers. (13)
Jeremiah, the weeping Prophet, as he was called, seeks to provide us comfort in the reading today. He faced many trials and shares some insight into how he must have endured them. We know that the Lord is a dread warrior for us, and he walks alongside us. We must not be afraid.
Let us praise the Lord in anticipation of his grace on us, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 69: 8-10, 14, 17, 33-35
For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own that are in bonds. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them. For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah; and his servants shall live there and possess it;
Alleluia!
Second Reading: Romans 5: 12-15
But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. (15)
Here, St Paul teaches us how abundantly we have been blessed because we have been saved by Jesus Christ. Though we shared in Adam’s sin, in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, we have been redeemed and released from the bondage of sin. We ask the Lord to grant us faith to understand these mysteries and wisdom to walk accordingly as redeemed children of the Most High God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Alleluia: John 15: 26b, 27a
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Jesus said to them: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.” Alleluia!
Gospel: Matthew 10: 26-33
“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.” (26)
“So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (31)
Jesus Christ is speaking with his disciples after he has given them authority and sent them on a mission. (Matt 10: 5-8) Christ warns his beloved ones about impending persecutions, while in today’s reading, he offers them encouragement. In nature, we see God’s wonderful creation and marvel at its beauty. Christ tells us how even the smallest creatures are cared for by the Lord of all! Christ promises us God’s protection. Therefore, Jesus extols us not to be fearful of temporal threats! But the only time He tells us to fear anything is to fear losing both our soul and body. We reflect today and learn how we may safeguard both our soul and body.
We ask the Lord God the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds, for he is our Advocate. We ask the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us when and what we watch, whom we associate with, and what we allow. Christ Jesus gave us power – “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.” (Matt 10:8) He also says: “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matt 10:16) Just as he commanded the seventy-two, HE commands us today: “See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you.” (Luke10:19) Through the power of the Holy Spirit we invoke the authority vested in us by Jesus Christ, we praise God and speak in tongues, giving thanks to our Lord in anticipation. In Jesus’ name, Amen. We cast out evil and command in Jesus’ name. Amen. We have power in the name of Jesus. We cover ourselves from head to toe in the precious holy blood of Jesus Christ, and we receive healing and cleansing in Jesus name. Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia!
Lord, we pray today that we live wisely and innocently, in Jesus’ name, Amen! Happy Sunday, everyone!
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