Do Not Be Afraid
June 25, 2023: A Reflection for the 12th Sunday in OT, Yr A
Matthew 10:26-33
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Mt 10:31)
Do not be afraid. Jesus tells us many times in the Gospel not to let anyone intimidate us – not to fear. It is a strong counsel that He gives us, but when we look into the reality of our lives, it is easier said than done. If we look at our world, we are met with one tragedy and horror after another. It is detailed in the news on a daily basis. When we turn to our families and friends, we see suffering in some form or another and there seems little we can do. We are fed a daily diet of bad news in the media and just about everywhere else we turn.
Then along comes a Gospel like today’s. We might want to ask Jesus where are all the good things he promised. It can leave our heads and hearts spinning.
Maybe he is inviting us to go deeper – deeper within ourselves and the world that surrounds us. There is much good that fills our world: caring, kind people who bring God’s love in humble and selfless ways. A helping hand when they see someone in need. Visiting the sick. A kind word. Encouragement to someone who is overwhelmed by life. Our world abounds with the quiet, kind people who live the Gospel in joyfulness of heart. Evil is not triumphing. There are good people, too. Many good people! Just look around.
Can it get discouraging? Absolutely. That is why Jesus says that we don’t have to be afraid. He lives in us and in every person. In our own humble way, we can live fearlessly in the presence of a humble God. There will always be bad news. But likewise, there will always be good news and we are part of that. We are called to be good news to one another and to the world.
Think of Mother Teresa whose ministry was so far reaching because she focused on serving Jesus in the one person who stood before her. That was all that mattered.
Mahatma Gandhi, who was influenced by the teaching of Jesus, once said that “when a person reduces himself or herself to zero, that person’s influence is all-pervasive.” Why is that? Because that person’s center of gravity shifts from only thinking of oneself (becoming zero), to the true center of every being and of all creation – God. They are one with God who is all in all. Their influence is all-pervasive. They have nothing to fear.
As God revealed to Julian of Norwich in showing her a small hazelnut that caused her to ask why he made it. The answer is so simple and could only come from God: “His reason is love.” God’s reason for creating you and me is love. It is who we are. We don’t have to fear.