“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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