For anyone who has ever been afraid to speak the truth, today’s readings should be a source of strength and encouragement. Just prior to the passage we hear in today’s first reading, Jeremiah prophesies that Judah will suffer under the Babylonians for their refusal to repent. Because of this, Jeremiah is beaten and put in stocks overnight (see Jer 20:1–2). Our reading picks up at this point; we hear Jeremiah speak about the treachery all around him as he feels the full cost of his faithfulness to God.
In our own lives, we know that truth-telling can come with heavy costs. Taking a public stand for Gospel values sometimes brings pushback or ridicule. Whistleblowers who speak out against injustice may risk losing their jobs or face intimidation tactics aimed at silencing them. People who urge family members to correct harmful behaviors often face being cut off from their loved ones.
While we know there can be real challenges in bearing witness to the truth, our readings give reason for hope. Even amid persecution, God will be with us. Despite his arrest, Jeremiah praises God: But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. Like Jeremiah, we can rejoice even amid persecution and suffering, because the Lord is with us.
In the Gospel, Jesus further reassures us that Not one [sparrow] falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.In these simple verses, Jesus is telling us that we are each precious to God. Nothing happens to us without his knowledge. We can rest in the knowledge that God will not allow anything outside of his will to happen to us as we bear witness to his truth.
As we come to this Eucharist, let us thank the Lord for his presence with us and ask for his strength as we strive to bear witness to his truth. May we fearlessly proclaim from the rooftops what God has spoken to us, bringing the light of his truth to our world.
(Fr. Michał Pająk, OMI, June 21, 2026)
