Fr. Tony’s Midweek Message
Faith and fear
June 13, 2018
Elena and I are at the beach on a short vacation. Yesterday, I met a young man on the autism
spectrum who helped me build a sand castle.
His grandmother told me that he was getting used to the beach, since he
liked how the air felt, and the regularity of the waves, but was still learning
to overcome his fear of the crashing and roaring sound of the surf. It got me thinking about things that I am
afraid of, and how often they are tied up with things I love.
Fear has a lot to do with regret or anticipation of
loss or pain. Comfort has a lot to do
with the familiar and predictable safety.
Again and again in scripture, God, (whether through Yahweh’s voice, angels,
or Jesus) tells us, “Do not fear.” The oft-seen contrary idea of “fear God” is
more about standing in awe of God, not being terrorized: note the line in last
week’s psalm: “For there
is forgiveness with you; therefore you shall be feared” (130:3). Clearly, here “fearing” God means standing in
awe of God, not dreading him.
Mystic Teresa of Avila wrote the following:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
Grace and peace.
--Fr. Tony+
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