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Do not be afraid!

(Mt 14:27)

            During the entire public ministry of Jesus and even after his resurrection, there was one message that he kept on repeating to his disciples. When he called Simon to be one of his disciples, he said to him: Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men (Lk 5:10). And when their boat was caught in a violent storm, Jesus rebuked his terrified disciples with these words: Why are you afraid, O you of little faith? (Mt 8:26). Even to the synagogue official named Jairus who pleaded for his daughter’s life, Jesus had the same message: Do not be afraid; just have faith and she will be saved (Lk 8:50).

            When Jesus sent the twelve apostles to proclaim the kingdom of God, he warned them that they would be persecuted, but immediately admonished them: Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known (Mt 10:26). Then he encouraged them with these words: And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul (Mt 10:28). And he assured them of the Father’s care and protection: Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Mt 10:29-31).

            Jesus taught his disciples to live in total dependence on God. He showed them how God feeds the birds in the air and takes care of the flowers and grass in the fields. Jesus assured them that they are much more precious to God than the birds and flowers and grass. And so he admonished his disciples: Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom (Lk 12:32).

            During the miracle of the walking on the water, Jesus assured the disciples: Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid (Mt 14:27).      Then when Peter, James and John fell prostrate and were very much afraid during his transfiguration, Jesus came and touched them saying: Rise, and do not be afraid (Mt 17:7).

            At the Last Supper, after Jesus had told his disciples that the Father will send to them the Holy Spirit, he said: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid (Jn 14:27). And after his resurrection, when he encountered the fearful disciples, he said to them: Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me (Mt 28:10).

            My brothers and sisters, we see from this quick review of the Gospels that from the beginning of his ministry to the time of his ascension to heaven, Jesus kept on repeating the same message: Do not be afraid! During these difficult times, he is telling us the very same thing: Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. Take courage! Have faith!

            My brothers and sisters, I am aware that, as a result of the current economic crisis, some of our brothers have already lost their jobs and several others are just waiting to be notified of their termination. Almost all work contracts have been revised to reduce costs. Others have requested for prayers since they have been assigned the distressing, and potentially dangerous, task of terminating other employees and workers in their companies. Some members of the community have called me, fearful of a possible social unrest if conditions continue to deteriorate. Many are apprehensive about the safety of their families and properties and have asked for advice and prayers. 

            During these difficult and uncertain times, I can only echo the words of our Lord: Do not be afraid for I am with you! I can only urge you to pray daily Psalm 46, which begins with these words: God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea. Though its waters rage and foam and mountains totter at its surging. The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

           When the Lord tells us not to be fearful, he is really reminding us of God’s unchanging eternal truth – that we are created by a loving Father and are meant to live in his kingdom forever. This is Jesus’ unequivocal message when he told his disciples that God takes care of the birds in the sky, adorns the flowers in the fields and gives moisture and sunshine to the grass, which will soon perish and then vanish permanently. But we have been created to live with him in heaven for all eternity! Our existence, unlike the birds and flowers and grass, is not limited to our life on earth. Why then will he not take care of us? If God takes care of little things that do not last, we can be absolutely certain that he will take care of us whom he loves so much. Did he not suffer and die for us that we may regain eternal life? Did he not send the Holy Spirit as our Advocate and Helper? Is he not looking forward to receiving us in his heavenly kingdom?

    However, when he tells us not to be afraid, it does not mean that our life will always be a bed of roses, that it is going to be free of anxiety, difficulty and suffering. What Jesus assures us is that he will give us the strength, courage and perseverance to deal with adversities. He assures us that he will be there to lead us to victory.

            Let us then continue to nurture our growing personal relationship with the Father through his Son Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not sufficient that we know about God and his truth. We also need to truly know him as a Father who loves us generously and unconditionally. We have to have faith that he is involved constantly and intimately in our lives. Then the dangers and difficulties of life would have real meaning. Then, and only then, would we have the confidence, boldness and courage characteristic of true sons and daughters of God who are fully aware of the constant presence and protection of a loving and powerful Father.

   My brothers and sisters, during this difficult period, I also ask you to come to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and the Mother of us all. We all know that when a wedding party in Cana ran out of wine nearly two thousand years ago, her intercession led to her Son’s first miracle. Therefore, I ask you to offer daily rosaries for all our brothers and sisters adversely affected by the current economic crisis and to ask for the Blessed Mother’s intercession, telling her that countries in the region have “ran out of wine.” I know that she will help because I believe that her words to Juan Diego, when she appeared to him as the Virgin of Guadalupe, are also addressed to all of us. She said: Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little son; let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you. Let nothing alter your heart, or your countenance. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else that you need? Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain.

           With this kind of assurance, my brothers and sisters, why should we be afraid? Let us continue with even more zeal our work of rapid and massive evangelization and leave the rest to our loving Father in heaven, confident that the Blessed Mother is praying for us to her Son, Jesus, our Lord.

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