know jesus — no fear
"I say to you who are My friends: Do not be afraid." —Luke 12:4
"You did not receive a spirit of slavery leading you back into fear, but a spirit of adoption" (Rm 8:15). Satan, however, tries to make us lifelong slaves through the fear of death (Heb 2:15). In this battle against fear, we can claim Jesus' victory by accepting the grace to:
- fear the Lord. "He who fears the Lord is never alarmed, never afraid; for the Lord is his Hope" (Sir 34:14),
- fear going to hell (Lk 12:5),
- have faith in Jesus, Who said to Jairus after his daughter had died: "Do not fear; only believe" (Mk 5:36, our transl), and
- love everyone, even enemies, for "complete love casts out all fear" (1 Jn 4:18, our transl).
Jesus commands us: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and can do no more" (Lk 12:4). He adds: "Fear nothing" (Lk 12:7). In the Scriptures, God commands us 365 times: "Do not fear." Because the Lord always graces us to obey His commands, we constantly have the grace to be free from the fear of man. Jesus says: "Do not live in fear, little flock. It has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom" (Lk 12:32). In Christ, you are fearless.
Prayer: Father, send me the Spirit of courage (see 2 Tm 1:7) to face the fears in my life.
Promise: "Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart." —Ps 32:11
Praise: St. Paul of the Cross was a missionary to Italy for fifty years. Particularly devoted to the Passion of Christ, he especially ministered to the sick, the dying, the lapsed, and the sinner needing reconciliation.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape, Fear of the Lord and Evangelization, on audio AV 59-1 or video V-59.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 12, 2017
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