Readings: Acts 6:1-7, 1Peter 2:4-9; Jn. 14:1-12
Do Not Be Afraid
1. In the Gospel reading of today Jesus told his apostles: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” (Jn. 14:1). It is as if Jesus is addressing these words to us today, as we deal with the coronavirus that has ravaged the world and brought all business to a standstill. None of us can honestly say that he or she is not anxious, worried or afraid. Heads of States are afraid, religious leaders, doctors, nurses and everyone is worried. We are worried about our employment. Will we still have our jobs when this is over? We worry about our finances, our mortgages, our children’s education and their future. We are afraid that we may be exposed to those infected by the virus. We are afraid of the effect of the virus on us and our loved ones. We are afraid of death and of dying alone. Some people, especially the elderly ones, are afraid that they may not get a proper burial during this pandemic. We are also inflicted by national and international fear and trouble, of increasing violence and crimes in our cities. We fear loss and failure, criticism and rejection; we are even afraid of things that may never happen. O Lord we are afraid! We are anxious. Yet you told us not to be afraid.
2. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that the early Christian community was united in mind and heart. They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles, to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to prayers. And with great power, they bore witness to the risen Lord. (Acts 2:42-47). Amidst that perfect community, we heard of fear and anxiety, as the Greek speaking Jews - the Hellenists – complained that their widows were left out during the daily distribution of food. Fear can, sometimes, propel people to greater heights. Peter realized that the apostles needed assistance, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-5). Thus, the ministry of the diaconate was inaugurated. This ministry of service allowed the apostles to be devoted to praying and preaching the word.
3. In our worries, fear and anxiety, we must not forget to devote ourselves to prayer and to the reading of the word, as the apostles did. By so doing, Peter said we will “Come to the living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-6). For “You are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises’ of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9).
4. Friends, this is why we should not be afraid. Christ tells us: “Do not worry about your life. Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span’”? (Matt. 6:25-34). And Paul adds “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-6). The secret to a worry-free life is to depend on God. We must cry out to God like Peter and devote our lives to prayer and reflecting on the word of God. We must make use of our support system, like the early Christians. They depended on one another in their fears and anxiety. We have our families, our church and our circle of friends. Let us fall back on them for support when we are afraid. The disciples were together in prayer, in bible reading and in the breaking of bread. We must do the same. Jesus assures us that He is the way, the truth and the life. Even when we do not know where He is going or know the way, He is our way, He is our truth, he is our life. He knows the Father, and he knows how to get us to the Father. We must trust him. We must also see ourselves in the service of love and mercy to one another.
5. This ministry of service puts mothers’ day celebration in perspective today. We think of and pray for our mothers and surrogate mothers in our lives. They remind us of the service of the deacons in the early church. They also parallel Jesus in the Gospel who is the way, the truth and the life. Our mothers have been all these and more to us. They showed us the way to God by assisting us to receive the sacraments of the church. They taught us to bless ourselves with the sign of the cross and to pray at all times. They taught us that we should always say what we mean and mean what we say – that is the way of the truth. And finally, they shared their lives with us from the womb. They too, like Jesus, taught us not to be afraid. So, we thank our mothers today. We pray for those who have gone home to God in heaven. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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