FAITH NOT FEAR

FAITH NOT FEAR – 19^th Sunday Ordinary Time, Year C

            We all have fears. Fear has many kin such as anxieties, apprehensions, timidity, phobias, cares, worries and uneasiness. Fear has many objects; people, places, things, circumstances. Few are fearless.

Most of us can be intimidated in certain circumstances, and by different people. Learning how to deal with and overcome fear is a lifetime work. We may know in our head we don’t have to be fearful under certain conditions, but our emotions can persuade us otherwise. Fear can paralyze and bind us up.

            There are certain beings, people, places, animals, things and circumstances we need to fear. Fear in such circumstances is necessary, normal and helpful to our defense and wellbeing. We need appropriate emotional, physical, mental, moral and spiritual fears. Without them, we would not be able to distinguish and respond to dangers and harms on these levels. These good kinds of fear give us energy, strength, and power to deal with real dangers to our person. However, many who are very alert and fearful of physical dangers to themselves and their families may not be sufficiently fearful and alert to moral and spiritual dangers and temptations to sin.

            Some who are fearful of their earthly economics may not be fearful and concerned at all about building up treasure in heaven or being prepared for the Lord’s return to them at death or at the end of the ages. Others who are very anxious and worried over the economies of the world have no fear at all of Satan or nuclear weapons, which of course, are built up out of disproportionate fear of other peoples. Many fear good itself and doing good because of the forces of evil or because of what others may think. All of us know the reality of fear on different levels. Fear is part of the brokenness of our human nature. Jesus came to conquer the fear and brokenness of the human race. The fears of alienation, sin, guilt, suffering, death, rejection, and punishment are overcome in accepting the salvation offered to us in Christ.

            Jesus knows all about the fears in the human heart. He says: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock…”. All of the major fears of humans; alienation, separation, punishment, reward, not having what is needed for human life, about doing good, doing evil, other people, God, the devil, the forces of evil, of one’s self and worth, a wasted meaningless life, death, are overcome in Christ. Jesus has won the victory over the major enemies of the human race – Satan, sin, sickness, death – which are the major sources of fear in people.  We can continually take our fears to the Lord and put them into the larger context of what the Lord has and is doing for us.

            The major reason Jesus gives for us not living in fear, which is different from having legitimate fears, is this: “…for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom”. The realization of the gift of the kingdom, which makes us rich beyond comprehension or imagination, can give us great trust in God and build up confidence in ourselves. With the riches of the kingdom, we are able to keep material things of the earth in the right place in our lives. We can live differently and more confidently before others and be more for them. A heart centered on God and His kingdom overcomes many fears and concerns.

            The fears and concerns of the disciples of Jesus lead one to live in freedom, happiness, and joy instead of fear. The Lord tells us the kinds of concerns and fears we need to have. “Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”

            To live out the teachings of Jesus on fear, we need the kind of faith which the Letter to the Hebrews speaks about. We need the “…realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen”. We can see visibly the kingdom of God. We can see it spiritually through our faith. We can trust the Lord’s Word as our spiritual ancestors did in the Book of Wisdom. “Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be His own.”

Reflection from Divine Mercy #293

“Pure love enables me to know God and understand many mysteries.”