Whom do we fear?

     As some of you may know, for about three years I have been involved in the Catholic Radio Ministry of WAOB (We Are One Body) serving Southwestern Pennsylvania.  I am a part of a team who provides a daily "lectio divina" program entitled "Drawing Life-Giving Waters From Jacob's Well", live every evening from 8 to 9.

For well over a year I have guided the Saturday program, which provides four Scripture passages (the next day's readings) and my three reflections on each of those Scriptures.  Today I would like to share my thoughts on this past Sunday's Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 10, verse 26 through 42.

     Our gospel for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time is taken from the second half of chapter 10 of Matthew.  Jesus tells us just who it is that we need to fear.

     Earlier in this chapter Jesus warns us to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing … of the time when we see brother against brother, family against family and friends … and of those who persecute us.  Jesus' words still have powerful meaning, for we are continually confronted with anger and hostility, persecution and ridicule, hatred and violence.  Every day on the news we see and hear of a world gone astray,  Fear is the emotion of the moment in our troubled times.

     Verse 26 echoes what we heard so often from Saint John Paul II … "Fear not!"  It says: "Have no fear of the things that cause fear."  We may suffer because of fear, but there is nothing that is hidden that will not be made known.  Christ loves us and stands by our side.

     Verse 27 says: "What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops.  Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul."

     In this dark hour of confusion and anger and fear, we are told with clear and outright assurance that we are the beloved of God.  We are told that it is not just one or another life that matters, but that the lives of all of God's children are precious.  In the midst of confusion and fear - health wise, socially, racially, economically, politically, historically - that the Lord whispers to our hearts of his love and his protective care, and he calls us as Church to proclaim it from the housetops.

     We have been physically separated from one another, kept from the strengthening power of worship in the house of the Lord and the nourishment of Eucharist, confronted with injustice and fear and anger, and seen reason be misplaced.

     But we continue to be chosen and gifted with God's love.

     Whom do you fear?  I believe FDR said "We have nothing to fear but fear itself".  I am a Tolkien fan, and in "The Lord of the Rings" the dark wizard Saruman asks his grotesque followers: "Whom do you serve?"  They answer, of course, Saruman!

     For me and my house … we will serve the Lord. Whom do we fear?  With respect for all powers, good and bad alike, we fear no one - for we are the beloved of God.  As Matthew tells us, God protects even the smallest sparrow … and we are worth more than many sparrows.

     Verse 32 says: "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven."

    This is not the message that many want us to hear nor is it the attitude of heart that some want us to have.  Touched by grace we stand against the call to darkness and stand in the light.  I read somewhere that: "Love is what we were born with … fear is what we learned here."  Take your birthright and witness to God's love.