​Do Not Be Afraid!

6/24/2023

Do Not Be Afraid!

Dear Parish Family,

Did you know that the phrase “Do not be afraid” can be found in the Bible 365 times? Why, perhaps because we need the constant reminder. Fear is an unpleasant emotion triggered by the perception of danger, real or imagined. Though fear can be good: It can keep us safe, avoiding putting ourselves in dangerous life-threatening situations. At times the fear can be so powerful that it can stop us from taking action when needed. We all need reassurance and security to overcome the fear and move forward.

We hear this message not only in the Bible but in our pop culture. Here are a few of my favorites: • Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. (Yoda, Star Wars)

• It’s OK to lose to opponent, it’s never OK to lose to fear. (Mr. Miyagi, Karate Kid)
• Whenever I’m afraid, I tell myself I’m not afraid. (Piglet, Winnie the Pooh)

We can’t forget the wisdom of the saints:

• Proclaim the truth, and do not be silent through the fear. (St. Catherine of Siena)
• Go forward bravely, fear nothing, trust in God; all will be well. (St. Joan of Arc)
• Do not fear. Jesus is more powerful than all hell. (Padre Pio)

In our gospel today Jesus reassures, God our Father knows us well. We are valuable to him; he even knows every hair on our head. Jesus speaks to his disciples with clarity, foretelling of the conflicts they will run into as he sends them out on their mission. We are given this same mission. “What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” They could be the words by which we are invited to live out each day. Every day we find ourselves confronted by conflicts and opposition, every day we are called to choose what side we want to be on.