In The Face Of Fear
Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr
My dear encountered couples:
“I was afraid,” was the response of the servant who did nothing with the money the king had given him. His fear immobilized him. I imagine the other servants were also afraid, but that did not keep them from taking a chance with the king’s money. And though they did not all earn with it the same amount, they each earned something, they put it to good use and it paid off. For which the king praised them and rewarded them.
I think everybody is afraid? Some people are better at hiding it than others, but all of us have fears. Some people are afraid to let others know they are afraid, so they act as if they are afraid of nothing. People are not only afraid of things, we are afraid of each other. We are afraid of what other people might think of us, and that very fear influences our decisions and actions. Fear of looking foolish in other people’s eyes can keep us from doing, not only things that are harmful and sinful, but things that are good and virtuous.
It often takes courage to be charitable to a person in need, especially if that person’s need is caused by drink or laziness. To help such people we risk being laughed at. How much good goes undone for fear of ridicule? How much of God’s will do we not do from fear of what others might think? Let us pray for courage, let us take some risks. I’d rather be laughed at and thought less of in this life for doing what I think is right, than criticized forever in the next for not having done what I know I should have.
