Non timebo (Ps 56:12).

“Do not be afraid” and “fear no one” are the phrases that summerize the central message of the Gospel reading. When the Apostles worried about the future, Christ encouraged them, “Don’t be afraid. I am with you always.” The disciples, of course, had reason to be afraid. Yet Jesus says to them not to be.

Jesus teaches us that God is a caring God, compassionate, and forgiving. And God is on our side. Our attitude to life can agree with the psalmist who says, “In God I trust – I shall not fear” (Ps 56:1).

Fear of God is a biblical concept that is often misunderstood.  It does not mean that we should be afraid of God. The word “fear” means “awe”. It means that we should respect God, reverence God, and be more concerned with fulfilling the Law of God than with the way others might treat us.

The Pandemic has entered the world’s community from within nature itself. Maybe in time, myths will be created about how exactly it occurred. We live these days with its consequences, even deaths. The virus has modified the behavior of many of us. There will come a saving vaccine for us someday. 

Jesus also says, “do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul”. This is reassuring for those who are dying or for those of us who have lost loved ones. Even if this virus kills our bodies, our souls have eternal life.

“Do not be afraid,” Christ said and still says. Christ is not for the fearless but for those who must control their fears. During this uncertain time of the pandemic, this is a message we need to hear. It is very relevant for us today. We fear the possibility of catching Covid-19; we fear the financial consequences of this prolonged lockdown. We might even fear of losing our jobs, our livelihoods. But still, Jesus tells us not to be afraid. He tells us that not one sparrow falls to the ground without God’s knowledge. He knows us so well that he knows how many hairs we have on our heads. So, he says, “do not be afraid” we are worth more than many sparrows.

Jesus once said to his friends, “what is not possible with us is possible with God”. We follow Christ best when we realize that the Gospel ideal is beyond the reach of our own strength. It is then that we can lean on him and build on the strength of the Lord who is always on our side.

Let us pray that we might not fear the future. We pray and hope that we can create the future God wants for us all the people. Let us not give in to fear but be Christians who are hopeful and joyful today and always.

By Fr Rajesh, India.