The aspect of Fear and Whom to Fear?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 12th Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mt 10:28-33*

*First Reading : Jer 20:10-13*

*SECOND READING - Rom 5:12-15*

*The aspect of Fear and Whom to Fear?*

*1) Fear does not allow us to grow*

One of the Writers says *The most destructive element in Human mind is fear. It kills all our dreams and Hope*

Fear somehow does not allow us to grow, because it becomes an hurdle in doing our work 

*2) Various types of Fear*

All of us are frightened of one thing or the other 

Some are frightened about, animals

Some are frightened of snakes 

Some are frightened of wild creatures 

Some are frightened about darkness

Some are frightened of sickness

Some are frightened of problems

Some are frightened of authority

Some are frightened of water and fire

Some are frightened of vehicles

Some are frightened of silence

Some are frightened of sound 

So there are numerous things of which human beings are frightened of

*3) Fear God and not the Human beings*

The Gospel of the day tells us to fear God and not the human beings or other things which happen in our day today life 

In fact it appears that today human beings are frightened of everything that happens around him/her except God 

This is a very dangerous growth that is happening in the society today 

It appears that Many are not at all frightened of God and His judgement. This mentality leads to destruction of everything

*4) Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom*

This is what we read in the book of Proverbs : *The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”* 9:10

When we are frightened of God, lots of God things happen in our lives and also in the lives of other people 

Such God's fear leads to divine  Wisdom, which is very important to live our life in an effective way 

*5) The Liturgy of the Day on Fear*

The Gospel speaks about the following fear 

The fear of persecution

The fear of Human beings 

The fear of bodily death 

The fear of failure 

The fear of challenges

The fear of criticism

The fear of enemies

The fear of humiliation

The fear of God

*6) My life and the fears*

It is true that everyone is frightened of something. In this context what is my fear? 

Am I frightened of my future?

Am I frightened of my relationship? 

Am I frightened of my name and image? 

Am I frightened of losing my authority and position? 

Am I frightened of my money? 

Am I frightened of my bodily pleasures? 

 Am I frightened of my mission? 

Am I frightened of my beauty and external appearance? 

Or

Am I frightened of God? 

Am I frightened of my bad habits? 

Am I frightened of eternal life? 

Am I frightened of hell of fire? 

Am I frightened of final judgement?  

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*