Be

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Be

Bold   Unafraid

Believe   Proclaim   Champion

Fear No One Speak

Truth

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Matthew 10: 26 and 27

Jesus was speaking to the Apostles and said:

Fear no one.

The message that I will share with you in the darkness speak in the light.

Reflection

What are some of the things you confront in life that make you afraid?

Some people fear thunderstorms. Others are concerned about criminals. Many become afraid when they are in the dark after a loss of power.

In our reading from Matthew, Jesus is telling us to be afraid of no one. We are challenged to be bold and to take on those difficulties we face with courage and conviction.

That boldness flows from our relationship with Jesus. We gradually realize that we are not alone in those difficult moments. We have a strength in our very being that comes from our knowledge that just as Jesus instructed and guided those original Twelve Apostles, He is with us today.

Our fears are normal. We all face them because we are aware of our limitations and failures. We know that we are not perfect.

We believe that Jesus knows our souls very well. He knows what we need. He knows our weaknesses. He sees our fears and that is why He speaks so much in the gospels about our need to overcome those fears that can cripple and confuse us.

When we are able to overcome those fears through our belief in Jesus, we can proclaim the Good News. Our message is simple: fear does not rule us or inhibit us. It is always there. It is real. However, it will not rule our being. We are called to be more and to do more. The fear will not paralyze us.

An athlete becomes a champion by facing fears and continuing to play on despite them. An Apostle becomes an evangelizer by proclaiming the Good News in the face of rejection and humiliation. Those difficult experiences make the athlete and Apostle stronger and much more appreciative and grateful when success does come.

We grow to the point where, as Jesus says, we fear no one. We see this in Jesus as He confronts religious leaders and political rulers with calm and wisdom. He knows that they do not accept His message and His claims. He knows that some want to put Him to death. 

He speaks the truth that the Father has shared with Him in prayer. His fear of rejection and death does not limit Him. He has confronted those fears in His innermost being. 

He knows that He is never alone in facing down those very real fears---fears that we all have to face. The Father is with Him always.

In a similar way Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. We are never alone in confronting and trying to overcome our fears.

We can BE confident in the power of God to guide us to embrace the truth and to proclaim the Good News.

We leave those fears behind.

We are loved.

We can speak that message in the LIGHT!

1. What are the fears that paralyze you the most?

2. How has your relationship with Jesus helped you to overcome those fears?

3. What can help you to become a champion evangelizer?

4. Do you feel that you have become stronger as you have faced your failures and disappointments?

5. What do you feel as you ponder Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John McNamara)