Questions of the Week: In our Gospel this weekend, Jesus tells us not to be afraid three times (see Mt 10:26-33). He also told us to be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna. Who was He referring to and why? What is the difference between good fear (fear of the Lord), and bad paralyzing fear? What help does Jesus give us in the Gospel to overcome fear?
The last 2 weeks I have been preaching on our common unity in God and in Jesus Christ. I related a story that some have asked about concerning a Rev. John Perkins, a 90 year old Baptist minister from Mississippi. (You can see his 22 min testimony on YouTube- Redemption) He was a man who nearly died from a beating he received by the local police who did not like his courage in standing up to the obvious injustices and discrimination he experienced for being Black. Hatred is ugly, and does not come from God. Yet he also realized that the same hatred that was directed at him— was also in him. He realized in his own words that he was a bigot too in his own way. Would he have the courage to change that? Would he be able to overcome his own hatred and fear in really making a difference in his own local community?
God was there to help him. In fact, John related that many, if not all, problems we face are far bigger than we are and are problems only God can solve. The division and hatred we see in the human race is one of them. Sadly, it is not too hard to see it in our own hearts.
There is only one answer. His name is Jesus.
And He showed us the way, His way: the way of the Cross— the way of love.
Love of Jesus casts out all fear. When we let fear take over, bad things happen. When we love, healing can take root and grow. It becomes a Tree of Life! And the truth is we cannot love Jesus unless God the Holy Spirit helps us to. And in loving Jesus, we love the Father. We grow in trust of our good God and Father, who knows the number of hairs on our heads. And as one of my bald friends quipped, “…with me…that gets easier for God every day!” Yes it does.
And letting love rule us, we become instruments of that love. Love dispels fear and hate. No room for either when love is around. Love moves us to compassion. Love moves us to do good for others—even our enemies. Love is gentle, not violent or revengeful. Love is humble and forgiving. Love seeks truth and fights for what is just and right. As Rev. Perkins says “love it the final fight.” It is a fight already won in Jesus Christ, but now it is our turn to let His victory reign anew in us and through us – in our world.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
Psalm 69:33-35
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.
Let the heavens and the earth praise him,
the seas and whatever moves in them!”