Collect Series: Collect 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A

 Collect Series

The Mass: Collect Series Icon

Collect 12^th Sunday Year Ordinary Time Year A

The Collects reads as follows:

Grant, O Lord that we may always revere and love Your holy name,
for You never deprive of Your guidance
 those You set firm on the foundation of Your love.

Though our lord Jesus Christ, Your son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.

 

Reflection Questions

In making this prayer tangible for during the week, the following reflection questions emerged:

1.What does to revere and love Your Holy Name mean to me?

2. How can I practise it this week?  Eg repent when I have misused his holy name.

3. How do I feel when I hear others use God’s holy name by swearing or using it carelessly?   What actions will I take or have I become desensitised to it?

4.Visulise the steps a builder uses to build a foundation of a house. Write a list of the foundations that God uses to build the foundation of love He has for us.

5. From your list of foundation of love which ones speak to you personally and which ones will I practise this week.

 

Gospel Reflection

Matthew 10:26–33

Theme: “Do Not Be Afraid”

Setting the Scene

In this Gospel, Jesus continues His instructions to the Twelve Apostles before sending them out on mission. He prepares them for the challenges they will face as they proclaim the Kingdom of God. Jesus knows that following Him will not always be easy. There will be opposition, misunderstanding, and moments when His disciples may feel afraid.

Yet throughout this passage, one message is repeated again and again: “Do not be afraid.”

Jesus reminds His disciples that God sees all things and that nothing remains hidden forever. He encourages them to proclaim the Good News boldly and confidently. Most importantly, He assures them of their immense value in the eyes of God. If God cares for the sparrows, how much more does He care for those who belong to Him?

This Gospel is both a challenge and a comfort. It calls us to courage while reminding us that we are never alone.

Gospel Reflection: Living with Courage and Trust

Fear is one of the most powerful human emotions. It can protect us from danger, but it can also prevent us from becoming the people God calls us to be. Fear can silence our witness, weaken our confidence, and cause us to hold back when God is inviting us to step forward in faith.

Jesus understands this reality. He does not pretend that difficulties will disappear. Instead, He teaches His disciples how to face challenges with trust in God.

Three times in this short Gospel Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” These words are not simply encouragement; they are an invitation to place our confidence in God's love and providence.

Jesus points to the sparrows as a reminder of God's care. Sparrows were among the smallest and least valuable birds in the marketplace, yet not one falls to the ground without the Father's knowledge. If God notices something as small as a sparrow, how much more does He know and care for us?

Jesus goes even further, saying that every hair on our head has been counted. This vivid image reminds us that God knows us intimately. Nothing about our lives escapes His loving attention.

Because we are loved so deeply, we are free to live with courage. The disciple's confidence does not come from personal strength but from trust in God's presence and care.

Personal Reflection

Most of us can identify areas of life where fear holds us back. We may fear failure, rejection, criticism, uncertainty, illness, loss, or change. Sometimes we fear speaking openly about our faith or living according to our values when others disagree.

Jesus speaks directly into these fears. His words do not deny our struggles; rather, they invite us to see them in the light of God's love.

When we remember that we are known and loved by God, fear begins to lose its power. We realise that our worth does not depend on success, popularity, or the approval of others. Our value comes from being children of God.

This Gospel encourages us to trust that God is present even in situations we cannot control. He walks with us through uncertainty and gives us the grace we need for each day.

Whatever fears we carry, Jesus gently says to us: "Do not be afraid."

Questions for Reflection

1. What part of this Gospel speaks most strongly to me today?
2. What fears or anxieties am I carrying at this time in my life?
3. How does knowing that God knows and loves me personally change the way I face these fears?
4. When have I experienced God's care and providence during a difficult time?
5. Are there situations where fear is preventing me from responding fully to God's call?
6. What does it mean for me to trust God more deeply this week?
7. How can I encourage someone else who may be struggling with fear or uncertainty?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You know my fears, worries, and uncertainties.

Help me to trust in Your love and care,
especially when life feels difficult or uncertain.

Remind me that I am precious in the Father's eyes
and that nothing can separate me from Your love.

Give me the courage to live my faith openly,
to follow You faithfully,
and to place my confidence in You each day.

May Your words, "Do not be afraid,"
bring peace to my heart and strength to my spirit.

Amen.