Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 92(93):1-2,5; Matthew 10:24-33
The past few day's Gospels from Matthew are collectively known as the mission discourse: the words of advice and encouragement given tot he twelve apostles as Jesus set them out on their travels to being good news to the Israelites (and which they later continued on into the whole known world at the time).
All of them (other than Judas and John) were martyred, yet the church asks us to essentially, do the same - take the good new out into the world. Are we to expect the same treatment? Well, it is not impossible, but it is unlikely. We are far more likely to encounter 'civil' opposition. For example we might preach the joy of life lived from natural conception to natural death - but we will certainly meet with those who champion the 'right to choose' point of view. In that particular case we might well remember that we believe in a right to life, not a right to choose death: ours is a positive viewpoint. Jesus did not promise that the Father would prevent the sparrows falling to the ground! Nor is it always easy to respond to such slurs with the patience and generosity as well as the truthfulness which Jesus would have shown. ‘A spoonful of honey attracts more flies than a barrelful of vinegar’, said St Francis de Sales. (HW - Universalis).
Do not be afraid - the Lord says over and over again - do not be afraid, for I will give you the words, take you to the places where people do want to hear me, and value you far more than anything else in my creation.