Fear Not

October 20, Friday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary time
Daily Readings: Romans 4:1–8, Luke 12:1–7

Christian discipleship is commitment without fear, even amidst persecution and suffering. One of the most gifted speakers in the church was Saint John Chrysostom. The name comes from a word that means ‘golden-tongued.’ John was sent from Antioch to what was then Constantinople, where he preached fearlessly in the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. He renounced the lavish extravagance of the rich and the ruling class. His condemnation and preaching infuriated many. The empress arranged to exile him. When he was told about this, Chrysostom responded. “What can I fear? Will it be death? Will it be an exile? Will it be a loss of wealth? Poverty I do not fear, and riches I do not sigh for. Death I do not shrink from, for Christ is my life. He, in fact, did not fear all the terrors of life; he smiled at them all. Being faithful to God has both its benefits and its challenges.

In the gospel, according to Saint Luke chapter 12 verse 5, Jesus said, "I tell you, friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that, have nothing more that they can do.” Jesus exhorts his disciples to become courageous even amidst persecution and suffering. He knew that his followers would face the opposition and persecution that he himself and the prophets had already faced. The main reason that will keep us bold in tribulation is our trust in the presence of a God who cares.

Fear is the opposite of love, and love casts out all fear. When you suffer for the sake of love, even suffering becomes meaningful. That is why Jesus said, “Even the hairs of your head are numbered; fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” The sparrows sold in the market are the most inexpensive food for the poor. But God does not forget even these simple creatures. Then how much more valuable are his disciples in the sight of God?

In our lives too, sometimes God calms the storm, but sometimes he allows the storm to rage, but he calms the child. Fear is not a solution at all. Franklin Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

What we must do to counteract that fear is to focus on the love that God has already bestowed on us. Fear prevents us from experiencing the love of God. That is why Jesus tells us to fear only those things that will take us away from the love of God—that is, evil that will kill our souls.

God is love, and perfect love casts out all fear. Let us ask the Lord to fill us with his love so that we will not fear.