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I take great solace in the fact that Jesus frequently exhorts his disciples with the words, “Do not be afraid.” For instance, when the disciples are terrified while battling an aggressive storm at sea, Our Lord approaches walking on the water and says to them, “It is I; do not be afraid” (Jn 6:20). In today’s short Gospel, Jesus speaks these words of encouragement three times to his followers.

Why are these words so important? Quite simply, there is plenty to fear in our world: physical or mental illness, economic uncertainty, the loss of a loved one, will I discern well my vocation, family members who have gone astray, unexpected emergencies, addiction, violence in our cities, an escalating war … the list goes on.

Every one of us needs to listen to Jesus anew this day and allow him to look us in the eye and say to us with great love and authority, “Do not be afraid.”

Perhaps his conversation with you might go like this: “Do not be afraid” because you are precious to me. We created you out of love because we desire to share our very life and love with you for all eternity. I redeemed you from your sins to make that great gift possible once again. I have called you by my side to be my disciple, and even more, my friend. I repeat my words to the 12 to you today, “So, do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

“Do not be afraid” because I am willing to forgive you of every one of your sins when you come to me with sorrow in your heart. I never tire of forgiving you. My mercy brings more than simple forgiveness. My mercy brings an abundance of healing to your weary soul. My Sacred Heart is a place of refuge when you are weak and lonely. St. Paul understood how my mercy overflows … But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow for the many.”

“Do not be afraid” because I promise you my strength. I want you to experience the grace of my strong right arm so profoundly that you soon repeat the words of the Psalmist, “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Ps 18:2). It took my Apostles a while to learn to lean on me, trust me and allow me to be the rock of their existence. Once they did, they became fearless witnesses to my truth and love.

“Do not be afraid” because I have a plan for your life. You may not always see it clearly, appreciate the twists and turns it takes, enjoy the discipline that I send your way or feel emotionally my closeness to you, but I am there guiding you, lifting you up and often carrying you. I have a plan for your earthly journey and I ask you to trust me. And remember, that plan has an ultimate destiny — my Father’s heavenly house. So, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul ... ”  If you stay by my side, you have nothing to fear.

My child, listen attentively to the words of today’s opening prayer: “Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name, for you never deprive of your guidance those you set firm on the foundation of your love. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God,
forever and ever. Amen.”