DO NOT BE A SLAVE TO YOUR FEAR.

 Friday, May 5, 2023

Office: Psalter Week 4

First Reading. Acts 13: 26-33
Psalm. 2: 6-12a (R. 7bc)
Gospel. John 14: 1-6

TOPICS FOR REFLECTION 

FEAR NOT: JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. 

DO NOT BE A SLAVE TO YOUR FEAR 

Do you know why we are always afraid? 

Well, here are some of the reasons: 

1. To look down on oneself is the beginning of fear. 
2. The fear of not wanting to fail, is fear 
3. The unknown future is fear 
4. Lack of courage is fear 
5. Loss of confidence in God is fear

We could go on listing them, but before I  continue... 

My dear, do you know how much I LOVE YOU? Please can you smile for me? 

It has been a long time since I saw a smile on your face. I must be candid, your smile is an assured hope for me. 

Okay, am waiting..... 

Smile now, 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 

Thank you, I can see your beautiful smile. 

I tell you, you look pretty when you smile. 

Anyway,  as you are smiling, can I ask you some questions? 

Since you have always been afraid of one thing or another, what have you gained? 

What you are afraid of, are you aware that you have stylishly become a slave to it? 

Why do you allow your fear to confront you, instead of confronting your fear?

Always remember that, if you live in fear, you put yourself in perpetual bondage, but if you fear nothing, you become a free person. 

The moment you entertain fear, your heart will become troubled. 

Hence, Jesus encourages us in today's Gospel that we should not allow our hearts to be troubled. He said He has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us because, in our Father's house, there are many mansions. 

In the first reading, St. Paul was addressing the people inside the Synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia; he reminded them of how Jesus was killed by those who refuse to accept Him just because they did not understand Him. 

Yet, on the third day, He rose from the grave and appeared to His disciples as an assured hope that He is going to the Father to prepare a place for them and all of us. 

At a point, St. Paul had to quote the Psalmist saying: "You are my Son, today I have begotten you.”’ 

So, child of God, the Lord is telling you right now, that you are His child, today He has begotten you. 

Won't you be happy? Why are you troubled by your heart and mind? 

Hope you know that one will make more mistakes if the heart is troubled. 

If you make more mistakes because your mind is troubled, then what have you gained? 

Well, I challenge you right away, rise with that beautiful smile on your face, follow Jesus who is... 

1. The Way: Develop confidence in Jesus the way, He will not mislead you. 

2. The Truth: Follow His teaching, it will take us to heaven where God the Father dwells and to be with Him forever 

3. The Life: Jesus is our breath of life, and in Him is eternal life. 

In summary, don't entertain fear, satan only deceives people with fear. If you observe, what you are afraid of is nothing, so be courageous because God has begotten you today. 

Peace ✌️ be with you. 

Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS. 

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