Sr. Rosemary Finnegan, O.P. - 5th Easter, Fear Not
Readings from: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050923.cfm

We heard in our gospel the most commonly repeated thought in the whole Bible.  If you’re searching your mind to recall what it might be, it is: “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”  Actually, some form of “Fear not”, or “Be not afraid”, or “Have no fear” appears over 100 times in the Old Testament and 44 times in the New Testament, for example:

  • In Genesis, God says to Abraham, “Do not be afraid.” (Gen. 15:1)
  • 52:6 says: “In God I trust; I am not afraid.
  • And to Daniel, God says: “Do not fear, greatly beloved, you are safe.” (Daniel 10:19)

And in the New Testament:

  • The angel Gabriel said to Mary: “Do not be afraid.” (Luke 1:30)
  • In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches the crowds this: “So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:31)

In today’s gospel, Jesus is speaking at the Last Supper right after he washed the feet of the apostles and reminding them not let their hearts be troubled or afraid.  Knowing that his time is short with them, and his death is imminent, Jesus is trying to comfort them.  He wants them to know that he is giving them his peace and leaving this precious gift in their hearts, and he wants them to share it with others.  It is a peace that is life-giving, full, purposeful, and like nothing else they could ever find in this life.

Jesus knew we needed to hear this message about not being afraid, and hear it often, because we are a fearful, anxious and worrying group of human beings. For many, it is a serious medical condition needing professional help as well.  Generally speaking, however, Max Lucado, a favorite spiritual writer of mine, says that if worry were an Olympic event, the U.S. would win the gold medal.[1]  Even Jesus had anxiety in the garden, just hours after the Last Supper, but He entrusted his cares to God.

For all of us, the path to the Lord’s peace is always paved with prayer.  As we hand our cares to the Lord in prayer, we are assured the Lord will never forsake us and has promised to walk with us.  With hope and trust, may we learn to look to God who has promised to help us through our concerns and problems.  And through our acts of bringing the peace of Christ to others and to the troubles in our world, we are being his followers.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid
.”

[1] Max Lucado, “Anxious for Nothing” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gJkZpu6mgw