Luke 12:32-40
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35 “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36 be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.
37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.38 If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. 39 “But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
No Fear with Jesus
Let us return to the Holy Scriptures and reflect upon these verses, inspired by the Holy Spirit to help us deal with faith and fear and trust.
Psalm 56:3-4 "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God whose word I praise-In God I trust and am not afraid. what can mere mortals do to me?"
Matthew 14:27 "But immediately Jesus said to them: 'Take courage! It is I, do not be afraid.'"
Luke 12:32 "Don't be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom."
Mark 5:36 "But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, 'Don't be afraid. just have faith.'"
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you; I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid."
1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but true love casts out fear because fear has torment. He who fears is not made perfect in love."
Revelation 1:17 "And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, 'Do not be afraid. I am the Alpha and the Omega’ (the First and the Last)."
Give some time to read these verses again in their context and reflect upon their meaning in the life of the faithful. May we learn how to distinguish between concern and fear. Being troubled by some events looks normal and being worried about things is still usual. Feeling so afraid to be losing hope and energy needs a serious re-evaluation of God's presence in our life and His promises to the "little flock" (v. 32). "Just keep faith and don't be afraid" Mark 5:36.
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31. St. Paul reminds us that God's love for His faithful is permanent and His security is bestowed upon those who live in Christ.
When our faith is built upon His rock, we believe in the depth of our soul that God is love, love never fails, that the Lord Christ is true to His promises and that He will be with us until the end of time, we live in confidence and faith and all fear falls away.
When trust is the cornerstone in a relationship, love grows, producing delight and confidence, eradicating the roots of fear. Do not be afraid, trust in the Lord.