“Be Not Afraid”

By

Robert John Colon

 

CHRISTMAS 2007

 

“Be not afraid”. This is what an angel said in Bethlehem, according to Luke’s Gospel (ch 2, v 10). “Be not afraid”. That is, have no fear. Of course, fear is a part of our life. Christ Himself experienced fear (1). Still, even though fear will come, we should hear the words “do not be afraid”. These words ring out as a notice to entrust ourselves to God, to turn our eye toward Him (2).

 

But maybe we are most afraid of entrusting ourselves to God. The Child Jesus, from the cave where He lay vulnerable in a manger, calls us to follow Him step by step to the Cross (3). If we do this, are we not afraid that life might become dark?

 

Actually, if we follow Jesus to the Cross, we are following the One “Who is light in the midst of darkness” (4).

 

Of course, this does not mean that life with Jesus is always easy. Jesus is light. What can light do? Light can illuminate. Light can make clear. Light can reveal (5). And some of what light reveals, some of what Jesus reveals, can be painful.

 

Consider the seriousness of sin. Jesus in His passion completely revealed the seriousness of sin (6). When we think about the seriousness of sin, when we think about the harm caused by our sins, we can feel “cut to the heart” (Acts ch 2, v 37).

 

And are we not all afraid of feeling “cut to the heart”? But listen to what an angel said in Bethlehem. Be not afraid; for notice, I bring you news of a great joy (Luke ch 2, v 10).

 

I would like to bring to every person news of a great joy, news of God's love. Though I am not equal to the 19th century Father, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, I would like to make his words my own: “Oh, if only all the sinners of the whole wide world were present here! Yes, even the greatest, the most hardened, even those close to despair, I would call out to them: The Lord is kind and merciful, patient and full of love” (7). God is full of love. This should be news of joy.

 

The Good News of God's love is intended for all peoples (8). But how many people, even those in our life, do not know how much God loves them? They should know of God's love. We might be quick to help them recognize the seriousness of sin. When necessary, we should help our brothers and sisters recognize the seriousness of sin. But we should also help our brothers and sisters recognize the depth of God's love, which Jesus’ birth reveals (9). We should help our brothers and sisters to trust in God's love. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos said: “None of the damned was ever lost because his sin was too great, but because his trust was too small!” (10)

 

But how can we help people to recognize and trust in God's love? Certainly, we can speak about God's love. But there can be times when it is better to let love alone speak (11).

 

Here it might be helpful to speak about some essential attitudes belonging to love. Among these attitudes we can find patience, kindness and tenderness (12). The First Letter to the Corinthians tells us that love is patient as well as kind (ch 13, v 4). Here we are dealing with a reflection of the divine kindness toward others, considered and treated with compassion and understanding (13). We are also dealing with tenderness. After all, according to the First Letter to the Corinthians, love is not quick-tempered (ch 13, v 5).

 

Here I would like to make known that I am not saying that we must never challenge people. But when challenging people to follow Jesus, we can come across as selfishly wanting people to agree to our Catholic faith, as if we wanted to take over the world, while turning a deaf ear or coldness to people’s anguished cries (14). The result might be that people are steered away from Jesus and trust in God's love. But many people might be brought closer to Jesus and childlike confidence in God's love if sometimes a little more patience, kindness and tenderness would be shown. During the Holy Christmas Season, as we adore the Child Jesus, Who is challenging but also understanding and patient (15), let us ask Him to help us strive for patience, kindness and tenderness, without becoming discouraged when we fall short of patience, kindness and tenderness.

 

Only the Lord’s support will enable us to keep away from giving up (16). Let us ask the Lord to defend us with His continual support (17), especially in times of fear. Let us also ask Mary, “Mother of our Savior” (Litany of Loreto), to help us in times of fear. Mary can be the Mother of every comfort and every help, a Mother whom anybody can dare to address in any type of need in weakness and in sin, because she has understanding for everything and is for everybody the open energy of creative goodness (18). Thus let us pray:

 

“Virgin of all virgins highest,
prayer to thee thou ne'er denyest,
let me bear thy sweet Child too.”

 

“By thy powerful prayers protected,
grant, O Queen, that His elected
may behold heaven's moving light.”

 

“Make me by His birth be guarded,
by God's holy word be warded,
by His grace till all is done;”

 

“When my body lies obstructed,
make my soul to be conducted,
to the vision of thy Son. Amen.” (19)

 

November 30, 2007