The WORD in other words (2006) by Father Dionisio Miranda SVD – University of San Carlos, Cebu City
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A
Fear is such a powerful emotion that TV has created programs to exploits its entertainment potential. One series explores fear of the unknown by having blindfolded contestants identify objects and animals purely by touch. Testing both physical and psychological courages, it rewards as winners only those who have managed to control their fears.
In ordinary life the type we often encounter is the fear of losing face. Before retiring one employee groped that his lifetime services were not properly assessed and so demanded the adjustment of his wage differentials over the decades. A review disclosed that everything traced back to his having been transferred to another office because colleagues found his actions and attitudes insufferable, a loss of face he misinterpreted as diminution of rank. My advice was to move on and not allow historical rejection to poison his retirement years.
Among others, we fear disgraceful disclosure. Who has not once stumbled uncharacteristically, or made an unforgivably careless mistake, or surrendered to a moment of weakness re regret interminably? Who has not been anxious that the dreaded shameful secret will not one day be revealed, stripping off our remaining self-esteem? And yet only those who humbly acknowledge fallibility can also experience the peace and liberation of self-acceptance. Admission and confession are types of moral courage. Reconciliation with those we hurt costs amply in terms of pride. Owning responsibility for injury requires integrity, and offering restitution is only possible to the once-again ennobled.
The Gospel speaks of a more deadly fear, in fact the fear of physical harm or even death from people so wicked they can harass those who do good and speak in the name of God. A careful life-review will show that now and then we are challenged to stand for truth and decency, for God and our neighbor, and miserably failed the test. For self-protection. Intimidated by actual or imagined threats we could not muster up enough spirit to stand up for the right, or defend our religious beliefs or share our spirituality, shying away from witnessing to those who mock our God or Christ or Church.
Everybody is afraid of something; but everyone can turn to Jesus to banish whatever fear. “Fear not.” How many times have we heard that greeting and encouragement in the Scriptures, addressed to so many individuals by Jesus in their various moments of fear, offering them his presence, assurance and power? Jesus offers strength born of faith that there is life beyond death, He stirs up courage born of hope that the sacrifice will not be in vain.
