Do not be afraid

 Jesus knew that it is very human to be afraid of someone who could kill your body.  However, he said, the one you really should be afraid of is the one who can cause you to lose both body and soul.  On September 11, terrorists destroyed the bodies of many people whose spirits remained alive and free.  In the face of imminent death, they reached out to say, “I love you!”  They stayed behind to help others!  They gave their own lives that others might live!  They did not lose their souls!
 
       Nelson Mandela once said, “We were all born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”  We each have the potential to live in the love of the Father rather than out of our own fears.  The fact that even the prophets and the closest followers of Jesus endured moments of doubt, shows us that a certain amount of fear is to be expected when facing the world.  There is no guarantee that nothing bad will ever happen to us.  However, we do have the promise that Jesus is indeed by our side.
 
       Think for a moment of the last time you may have let your fears dominate you.  Were you concerned about how others saw you?  Perhaps you became annoyed because you were passed over or not listened to.  Fear creates distance between people and can even cause anger and hostility.  
 
       Take a good look at an angry or violent person.  What we are actually looking at is a very frightened individual living out of the darkness of fear.  Do not be afraid.  We are worth more than we could ever know.  Our mission is to proclaim the love of the Father to a broken and fearful world.  As Jeremiah’s prayer, in this weekend’s first reading suggests, not everyone will listen.  But we must have the confidence to witness to the truth, trusting always in the love of the Father made manifest in Jesus his Son.