Sports fans throughout the world are enthusiastically focused on the FIFA World Cup Tournament. Soccer teams from 48 nations are competing in 104 matches that will determine the two teams that will face each other in the championship match scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

 

The media is concentrating its attention on the world-class soccer players who are competing. Attention is also centered on the coaches of the 48 national teams vying for the World Cup, as they play a critical role in a team’s performance.

 

Coaches train players, help them sharpen their talents, improve their teamwork, drill them in various offensive and defensive strategies, alert them to the weaknesses of their opponents, etc.

 

Coaches are also there to motivate, encourage, and inspire their players. A coach’s pep talk before a critical game can fire up his players and spur them on to victory.

 

In this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 10:26-33), we have a portion of the tenth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. In that chapter, Jesus chooses his twelve apostles. He then instructs them to teach, to heal, to drive out demons, and to proclaim the coming of God’s kingdom. He also tells them to be prepared for persecution and even death.

 

The verses that we hear this Sunday sound like a coach’s pep talk. As the “team” of apostles is about to take the field to carry out Jesus’ instructions, he warns them to “fear no one.” He then emphasizes this message as he urges them “not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Jesus repeats his message a third time: “Do not be afraid.” He tells them that the God who knows when a single sparrow falls to the ground also cares for them, as they are each “worth more than many sparrows.”

 

Jesus urges his apostles to put aside their fears, to openly proclaim what they have heard him teach, and to boldly acknowledge him before others.

 

These motivational words, this pep talk, that Jesus first spoke to his 12 Apostles are also meant for us today. We are the current team that Jesus has chosen to announce the message of the Gospel in our world and to acknowledge him as Savior and Lord.

 

Jesus, our coach, is telling us to go forth and as we do, “not to be afraid” for the ultimate victory is certain!

 

© 2026 Rev. Thomas Iwanowski