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Ordinary Time · Year A

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 21, 2026

The Exhortation to the Apostles, James Tissot
The Exhortation to the Apostles, James Tissot, 1886–94Brooklyn Museum, New York
From Tissot's Palestine series. The twelve are grouped close around a seated figure, and several of them look uncertain.So have no fear of them … Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? … Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.James TissotA French painter of fashionable society who, after a religious experience, spent the rest of his life illustrating the Bible.Brooklyn Museum, New YorkNew York's second largest museum, holding a celebrated Egyptian collection and Tissot's entire Bible series.Brooklyn Museum, New York
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 10:26-33Mt 10:26-33
Second ReadingRom. 5:12-15Rom 5:12-15
First ReadingJer. 20:10-13Jer 20:10-13
Responsorial PsalmPs. 69:8-10, 14+17, 33-35 (14c)Ps 69:8-10, 14+17, 33-35 (14c)

Overview & Insights

"Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39)

Jesus prepares his disciples for opposition, urging them not to fear those who kill the body and to acknowledge him before others. He warns that faithfulness may bring division even within families and calls disciples to take up the cross.

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Take it further: Matthew 10:26-33

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 10:24-39Commentary on Mt 10:24-39 Working Preacher

Lectionary commentary on fearless witness and acknowledging Christ before others.

Matthew 10 CommentaryMt 10 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on not fearing persecutors and the value of the sparrow.

Matthew 10:26 CommentariesMt 10:26 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries gathered for the call to fearless confession of Christ.

Matthew 10 CommentaryMt 10 Commentary Precept Austin

Collected commentary and sermon resources on Matthew 10.

The Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

Brant Pitre's video walk through all of this Sunday's Mass readings, including the Gospel.

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time A: Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

Catholic reflection and discussion questions gathering the day's readings.

Background & Word Study

Matthew 10:26 InterlinearMt 10:26 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing for fear, sparrow, and acknowledging before others.

Overview: Gospel of MatthewOverview: Gospel of Mt BibleProject

Animated overview of Matthew, including the cost of following in chapter 10.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Matthew 10Catena: Mt 10 Catena

Patristic comments chained to fearless confession and God's care for the disciples.

Podcast

Sermon Brainwave Working Preacher

Weekly lectionary podcast discussing the appointed texts for preaching.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition: Matthew 10Art in the Christian Tradition: Mt 10 Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's searchable image archive for the mission and cost of discipleship.

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