Good Fears Versus Bad Fears.

Homily for July 4, 2017

There are things that should make us afraid and there are things that we shouldn’t be afraid of. Our readings this morning help to make this distinction. When we are afraid of the things we ought to be afraid of, we have good fears but by the time we are afraid of things that does not deserve our fears, then we have bad fears.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus rebuked the disciples for their bad fears. They were travelling in a boat and behold there was a great storm which swamped the boat against the waves. Ordinarily, one might assume their fear of death by drowning was legitimate but Jesus said such a fear was very bad.

By rebuking them, Jesus was saying: “You shouldn’t be afraid of things like this, because it has a cure – Faith!!!” Do not be pessimistic in life. Believe in God, let your faith be so big that you only expect positive outcomes of whatever situation you are facing. Cast away your bad fears and have a relaxed mind like Jesus who was sleeping in the boat.

Then our first reading describes the good fear. What is a good fear? It is the fear of disobedience or better put, the fear of God. Even the bible says: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah had no fear of God, they committed so much atrocities that God decided to wipe them out from existence.

It is even shocking that the sins the Bible accused Sodom and Gomorrah of are now common place in our society today. Many countries have legalized homosexuality and abortion which is equivalent to the sacrifice of children to idols.

Just yesterday, I read about a woman in Germany who gave birth to three creatures and guess who is the father of these creatures? Her pet dog. Now, these creatures are neither full human beings nor fully dogs. They have the skin of a dog with tails and oversized ears but other features like human beings. We have gone beyond the level of Sodom and Gomorrah. In truth, we all deserve to perish.

Recall how Lot became so rich that he and Abraham had to part ways? How Lot looked at the region of Sodom and Gomorrah and saw how beautiful it was? Lot went to Sodom as an extremely wealthy man but today, he departed from this town empty, not even a single cow or sheep followed him.

This is what becomes of us when we allow sin fester in our lives and in our community. This is why we should be scared of falling even into the slightest sin. Lot’s wife looked back. She was not afraid of disobeying the instruction that the Angels gave. She lacked good fear and for this she became a pillar of salt.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, increase my faith that I may cast out my bad fears and deepen in me the fear of sin. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 13^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Genesis 19:15-29 and Matthew 8:23-27).