Do Not Be Afraid; Go and Tell My Brothers.

(Homily for April 2, 2018).

“Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So they took the money and did as they were directed.” Matthew 28:13-15. 

Fear is a natural defence mechanism built into our psyches that warns us against what the mind perceives as dangerous, strange and uncomfortable. However, as experience often shows, our fears are never realistic.

That which the mind understood as danger turns out to be safe, we soon become experts in what looks strange and we adapt to what is uncomfortable. It is only at hindsight we realize how unreasonable we were for accommodating our fears.   

Fear pulls us down. Fear is that second voice that makes a mockery of our Faith. Fear is responsible for our double-mindedness at times when it comes to the things of God. In today’s Gospel passage, we read that the women having met an Angel that told them Jesus is risen, departed the tomb with fear and great joy; fear, that Jesus might have been stolen and joy that Jesus is truly risen.  

Fear makes us ask those unnecessary “What if…” questions after reading the Bible and receiving God’s assurance.

When Jesus appeared to the women, Jesus immediately perceived their fear and knowing the danger of fear, Jesus began by saying: “Do not be afraid…” Dear friends, the simple truth is that we cannot preach Christ by word and example unless we grow above our fears. So long as fear lingers in our hearts, we cannot convince the world of our faith. Fear takes away our confidence.

The soldiers who witnessed the resurrection went to the chief priests to report what had happened but rather than spreading the message to the whole world, they were silenced with money. Just as Judas betrayed Jesus because of money, the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus also betrayed Jesus because of money.

Do you want to preach God? One of the fears you must deal with is the fear of no money. Once we are able to face the fear of not having money, we become unsellable; no one can shut our lips anymore with money. The richest man in the world is not he who has all the money he craves but he who has control over his cravings; the man who craves for nothing. The richest man is he who cannot be bought. I think this is why the church asks her priests and religious to take the vow of poverty.

Do not be afraid of poverty; it is actually freedom. Do not be afraid of ending a sinful relationship in your attempt to keep commandments despite the amount of money you derive from such relationship. Do not be afraid of stopping a business which involves having to lie, falsify figures, partake in ungodly acts, and so on no matter how much money that business brings. God is a Father and a very responsible Father at that; a Father who knows how to take care of his children.

Fear not; go into the world and announce the Good News of Christ’s resurrection.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, give me courage to face my fears especially those preventing me from serving you wholeheartedly. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of Easter Octave. Bible Study: Acts 2:14-33 and Matthew 28:8-15).

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