Secret Followers or Bold Witnesses?

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Is 6: 1-8; Mt 10: 24-33

Today’s Gospel highlights the continuation of Jesus’ missionary discourse. 

What is interesting is that Jesus does not mince words when it comes to highlighting the truth about discipleship. He does not offer them a comfortable vision of being his followers. Nor does he permit them to develop an illusion of easy discipleship. Instead, he prepares them for opposition, misunderstanding, and persecution. However, through all these, he assures us of God’s providence. He wants us to realize that, in those who suffer for his truth, he is present.

In Jesus’ words, we can deduce both caution and assurance. 

In terms of caution, we can see that Jesus wants his disciples to become loud witnesses to the Gospel truth instead of letting fear silence their mission or compromise their vision. Hence, what Jesus does is not to stoke their fears but remove their needless anxiety. We see that Jesus’ realistic perspective protects his disciples from disappointment. Now they know and can rest assured that they walk in the footsteps of Christ when they encounter hatred and opposition. Come what may, the Gospel truth cannot be silenced or kept hidden. 

In terms of assurance, Jesus promises his indwelling and accompanying presence in those who suffer for his Gospel. This truth will help them overcome the suffering. We may recall that in the passage on Saul’s Conversion, Jesus asked Saul, who persecuted Christians, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute ‘me’?’ (Acts 9: 4). Jesus takes the suffering of his disciples so personally that he will stand by them faithfully. It is with this confidence that Jesus calls for a public profession of our faith in him. As believers, we are called to ‘do’ the Gospel truth.

Let us pray that we may be transformed from the temptation to be secret followers of Christ into bold witnesses of his truth. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar