Fear is such a powerful emotion. It can paralyze even the most action-oriented individual. It can cloud the judgment of the most clear-thinking person. That is why Winston Churchill said to his fellow countrymen during World War II there is nothing to fear but fear itself. The only way to overcome fear is to recognize and face what we are afraid of. Running away or burying our head under the sand might work for a short while but you can’t keep your head underground forever.

Jesus understood what fear can do to his disciples especially the time that he won’t be around to encourage them. When Jesus said in the Gospel fear no one…do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, he was telling his followers that they will undergo persecution, trials and difficulties, all because of their faithfulness to the mission of Jesus. They will be persecuted severely, even unto death, because of the good news they preach. In such moments, the desire to escape and save one’s skin is understandable. But only those who have undergone such a struggle and remained faithful have the right to question those who falter and waver. And though they have the right to question, they will not because they have learned what compassion to the weak of faith and those weary of the struggles of life is all about.

What kept them struggling to be faithful to Jesus and coming out victorious in the end? It is to believe, that, in the eyes of our loving God, we are worth more than many sparrows, and the hairs of out head has been counted. Thus, there is no need to fear. Our response to such reassurance is to reveal, not conceal, what our faith is all about; to proclaim with our lives our faith in God, not to whisper it in the name of political correctness. If our faith is about forgiveness and reconciliation, we have to speak it in the light. If our faith is about the power of God’s grace to change people, let us not keep it a secret. If our faith believes that trusting Jesus turns our fears to courage, we have to acknowledge it with our lives. Remember the warning of Jesus in the gospel: Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.

Response

Think of current issues that challenge your faith. What can you concretely do this week to put into practice the gospel message not to fear and so be able to follow Jesus Christ more fully with courage? How can you make God’s Word this week alive in your home, neighborhood, and school or workplace?