Today we shall reflect on the theme: Do not be afraid, for I am with you. The words convey confidence and reassurance that we are never alone. God is with us. He watches over us by day and night. He walks alongside us on the difficult terrains of life, leading us by hand to get through all the hurdles and trials of life.
Addressing the twelve disciples in the gospel, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid” twice. Jesus taught them that rather than being afraid of things, events, or people and succumbing to sin, they should fear God, who is more powerful than any and above all. The fear of God here means to prefer and choose God above all else.
In the first reading, Jeremiah mentioned his own challenge – the attacks he was getting, the terror on all sides trying to discourage him and make him denounce God and be seduced to error. However, he was confident that he would succeed, and his opponents would stumble because of his conviction that God was at his side.
The greatest danger and fear of the soul is that of sin, which brings death to it. The instinct of every human being for self-preservation can never be overemphasized. If we can overcome our fears and preserve our bodies, how much more should we do everything to protect our souls? In the 2nd reading, St Paul mentioned the fear of death through sin, which we got through the first Adam. But we now have the grace and free gift of new life, which has come to us through Jesus Christ.
The first stage of fear and error is doubt: the doubt of the presence of God with us. Let us find confidence in Jesus’ message not to be afraid and in the knowledge that God is always with us. Let us, in this confidence, resist anything that may try to frighten us away from the presence of God.