Sermon.
Jesus shows us, love, as an antidote to fear by saying: “Do not be afraid of men… Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt 10:26, 28).
Through Adam’s sin, fear came into the world. “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid myself” (Gn 3:10). Adam was afraid because he had done what God had forbidden him to do. He offended God. Adam’s sin left a heavy mark on man. The drama of man begins in Adam. Sin destroys love. God, who is Love, did not stop loving man. As the Son of God, He became like man except for sin. Already in the Old Testament, he teaches, educates people to fight against fear as a consequence of sin. God tells the forefather Abraham not to be afraid to enter the land where he is sending him: “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you” (Gn 12:3). He also speaks to the prophets so that they do not fear. During the annunciation to the Virgin Mary, the angel says: “Do not be afraid, Mary” (Luke 1:30). At the first sending of the apostles, Jesus tells them: “Take nothing for the journey” (Luke 9:3). In the next teaching, Jesus says: “Do not be afraid, little flock” (Luke 12:32). Matthew mentions Jesus’ words three times as a continuation of the broadcast speech: “Do not be afraid” (10:26, 28, 31). There is no answer to the question of whether God should be feared rather than loved, because the question cannot be asked that way. And it is not even accurate that in the Old Testament fear reigned and in the New Testament the law of love applies. Love always came first. After all, how could a person love a God who does not need to be feared? Those who fear God express themselves by recognizing him as God and can also love him. And he acquires an admirable freedom: he is no longer afraid of any earthly power and any fear. there is no answer, because the question cannot be asked that way. And it is not even accurate that in the Old Testament fear reigned and in the New Testament the law of love applies. Love always came first. After all, how could a person love a God who does not need to be feared? Those who fear God express themselves by recognizing him as God and can also love him. And he acquires an admirable freedom: he is no longer afraid of any earthly power and any fear. there is no answer, because the question cannot be asked that way. And it is not even accurate that in the Old Testament fear reigned and in the New Testament the law of love applies. Love always came first. After all, how could a person love a God who does not need to be feared? Those who fear God express themselves by recognizing him as God and can also love him. And he acquires an admirable freedom: he is no longer afraid of any earthly power and any fear.
It’s a strange paradox. Jesus, who perfectly knows us and our fears, does not underestimate human fear, but often says: “Do not be afraid!” and: “Peace be with you!” And he also calls us to live in fear: “Do not be afraid of people… Do not be afraid of those who they kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt 10:26, 28). It is not for a Christian to live in fear among men. He should still be free. The believer lives in fear only in order not to offend God. This fear is allowed. God gives people hope, which is a manifestation of God’s fantastic love for people. “Fearing God” means the violence that a person has to do to himself so that he does not disappoint the hope he receives from God. God trusts us. “Fearing God” does not mean despairing, or resigning, on the contrary. No one is tested beyond his strength. God gives everyone grace and strength directly, through the sacraments, but also through people and events. God doesn’t want fear to paralyze a person. Man has been determined by God for what he is in the world. Fear destroys a person and God does not want that. A man should live in the presence of God, and then fear does not cause negative harm. Only God can kill the soul and body in hell. Jesus uses short similes of caring for sparrows, for the hair on the head to strengthen a person’s perseverance in trusting God: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them falls to the ground without the knowledge of your Father. But you also have all the hairs on our heads numbered” (Mt 10:29-30). about the hair on the head to strengthen one’s perseverance in trusting God: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?” And yet not one of them falls to the ground without the knowledge of your Father. But you also have all the hairs on our heads numbered” (Mt 10:29-30). about the hair on the head to strengthen one’s perseverance in trusting God: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?” And yet not one of them falls to the ground without the knowledge of your Father. But you also have all the hairs on our heads numbered” (Mt 10:29-30).
Everyone is the mastermind of their happiness. What attitude we take towards fear is up to each of us personally. We have to make a decision not even once in a lifetime, but often several times during one hour. Jesus gives an important assurance: “Everyone who confesses me before men, I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 10:32). Jesus counts on our firm and decisive no against sin, for which we rightfully expect a reward. Otherwise, when we do not stand in the fulfillment of the will of God, the words of the righteous God must be fulfilled. “But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Mt 10:33). When Jesus says “Fear not!”, those are not just words. Behind these words, we should see the help of the Holy Spirit. With his gifts, the Holy Spirit ignites in us strength, courage, and the desire to fight, to win over evil, and sin. Faith gives us no illusions, that without fights and struggles, we will succeed in everything. Life is often drama, struggle, pitfalls, and hard work oneself, but God will give eternal reward to those who persevere to the end.
Good parents teach children to overcome fear. They don’t scare them unnecessarily. However, they do not cover their eyes, but at the same time they watch so that they acquire everything necessary and thus overcome fear. A mature believer does not throw a flint in the hay, does not give up, does not resign, but with trust in God does everything to win and fulfill what God asks of him. Therefore, a Christian does not despair, does not reach for life, and also protects life and helps everyone around who has to fight. That is why a Christian does not reach for alcohol, drugs, other blinding and intoxicating substances, because such rose-colored glasses distort, lie, worsen reality. Many of us know that nothing is as bad as it seems at first. Man has his mind, will, experience, God and fellow man, and he can do more than he sometimes thinks at the beginning. It is known that we already teach children to live and solve situations for the benefit of the soul’s salvation. Life on earth is not simple, easy, without difficulties. Rather, those who did not learn or were not taught to appreciate true values, who came to values without personal merit, despair. We must live in the spirit of not being afraid, not being frightened, not running away, but having courage. Even human words are pleasing. Not having a friend in trouble is hard. A friend knows how to help, to support, because it is easier for two to bear crosses and difficulties. The soul and everything related to eternal life must take precedence in a positive sense. Sin will never make you permanently happy. We must know how to fight for eternal life. Why did many choose bodily death rather than lose purity, honor, good name, faith? Therefore, many renounced comfort, fame, wealth for the eternal goal, the kingdom of God. They confessed God before men. And God will confess them before his Father. what they have not learned, or they have not been taught to appreciate true values, who have come to values without personal merit. We must live in the spirit of not being afraid, not being frightened, not running away, but having courage. Even human words are pleasing. Not having a friend in trouble is hard. A friend knows how to help, to support, because it is easier for two to bear crosses and difficulties. The soul and everything related to eternal life must take precedence in a positive sense. Sin will never make you permanently happy. We must know how to fight for eternal life. Why did many choose bodily death rather than lose purity, honor, good name, faith? Therefore, many renounced comfort, fame, wealth for the eternal goal, the kingdom of God. They confessed God before men. And God will confess them before his Father. what they have not learned, or they have not been taught to appreciate true values, who have come to values without personal merit. We must live in the spirit of not being afraid, not being frightened, not running away, but having courage. Even human words are pleasing. Not having a friend in trouble is hard. A friend knows how to help, to support, because it is easier for two to bear crosses and difficulties. The soul and everything related to eternal life must take precedence in a positive sense. Sin will never make you permanently happy. We must know how to fight for eternal life. Why did many choose bodily death rather than lose purity, honor, good name, faith? Therefore, many renounced comfort, fame, wealth for the eternal goal, the kingdom of God. They confessed God before men. And God will confess them before his Father. Even human words are pleasing. Not having a friend in trouble is hard. A friend knows how to help, to support, because it is easier for two to bear crosses and difficulties. The soul and everything related to eternal life must take precedence in a positive sense. Sin will never make you permanently happy. We must know how to fight for eternal life. Why did many choose bodily death rather than lose purity, honor, good name, faith? Therefore, many renounced comfort, fame, wealth for the eternal goal, the kingdom of God. They confessed God before men. And God will confess them before his Father. Even human words are pleasing. Not having a friend in trouble is hard. A friend knows how to help, to support, because it is easier for two to bear crosses and difficulties. The soul and everything related to eternal life must take precedence in a positive sense. Sin will never make you permanently happy. We must know how to fight for eternal life. Why did many choose bodily death rather than lose purity, honor, good name, faith? Therefore, many renounced comfort, fame, wealth for the eternal goal, the kingdom of God. They confessed God before men. And God will confess them before his Father. Why did many choose bodily death rather than lose purity, honor, good name, faith? Therefore, many renounced comfort, fame, wealth for the eternal goal, the kingdom of God. They confessed God before men. And God will confess them before his Father. Why did many choose bodily death rather than lose purity, honor, good name, faith? Therefore, many renounced comfort, fame, wealth for the eternal goal, the kingdom of God. They confessed God before men. And God will confess them before his Father.
We are not afraid of God because He is Love, but we are afraid of offending God with sin. We can point to the evil source of every human fear by name. It is called death, which is the fruit of sin. Jesus conquered death, he suffered for our sins. Christ’s death and resurrection are a sign of victory for us as well. They are courageous and hope that when we live with Christ, we will also be glorified with Christ. Why should we fear when God is with us? We support and strengthen ourselves with the gifts that Jesus himself gave us for these struggles. Yes, they are prayer, the sacraments, the Holy Mass, acts of Christian mercy, and listening to and doing God’s word.
Away with all small-mindedness that leaves us wandering through the dark and tangled paths of earthly life like a little child that has lost its mother! What will enable us to happily weather all storms and always bring us closer to God is trust, a living, and unshakable trust.
A five-year-old boy was to undergo a serious operation. His father gave him courage. “Daddy,” the boy asked, “if you stay with me, I won’t be afraid.” The father agreed. He held his son as the anesthesia began to take effect. The boy asked, “Daddy, are you here?” and fell asleep. The doctor wanted to send the father away. He begged: “I can’t now. I promised my son.” The doctor finally agreed. The operation was successful. When the boy got up, his father held his hand. The boy opened his eyes, smiled at his father, and softly whispered: “Daddy, are you here?” And fell asleep again. He knew his father was with him.
Jesus is the Father who is next to us, holds us and gives us security. He doesn’t scare us with hell, pain… He suffers with us, he loves us, and he keeps reminding us. He is willing to prove his love to us again.
When we realize this, let’s do something, let’s love him back. He is worried about us. Let us not deny sin. Let us observe him, but let us resist even the smallest sin. There is no greater misfortune than the prosperity of sinners, for they are so hardened in their malice that they hasten to damnation. However, we Christians are only supposed to grieve when we or others offend God. Let us fear God for our unrepented sins. Let us enjoy God when we live with him.
Let us now come before God and renounce before his face all that does not belong there. Get your conscience in order.
