● “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
● “ ‘And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul…you are of more value than many sparrows.’ ” (Matthew 10:28a & 31b)
● “ ‘…do not be anxious about your life…’ ” (Matthew 6:25a)
● “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” (Proverbs 9:10a)
What is fear? Fear in itself is a natural human emotion that ‘activates’ in response to a real or imagined threat. It is morally neutral. However, how you or I deal with fear is important in making good decisions.
If you are like me, you often wonder whether some of the fears we have are legitimate or not - are we afraid of a harmless illusion, or a genuine threat? Of course, we should be seriously concerned about someone driving while texting (May this not be you!! If you saw all the flowered memorials of the deceased which I pass by during my commutes, I pray that you would never do it again…); but should we really fear what other people think about us?
Jesus showed us that we need to trust in God: no matter what. God is greater than any danger or problem we could ever have – ever!
Christ already conquered our greatest enemies by His Holy Sacrifice of Love on the Cross: sin, suffering, death, the devil, and Hell. What do we have to worry about? Absolutely nothing! “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35)
Our only real fear should be a holy fear of God – a humble sense of awe, wonder and reverence that leads us to love Him and obey His holy will, avoiding sin at any cost. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to fill us with this Gift of Holy Fear and all His Sevenfold Gifts. Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us fear God alone.
+Br. Philip Maria Allen, CFR
St. Felix Friary
Yonkers, NY, USA
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