Rev. John Campoli, i.v.dei
His Love Ministries

Jesus tells his disciples three times, “Do not be afraid.” The early Church must have been a community that knew fear well. Jesus is preparing his followers for rejection, misunderstanding, and hardship because of their faith. Following him will not always make life easier. So he tells them, “Fear no one.” He reminds them that they are never abandoned by God. So what does Jesus do? Sell them life insurance? Give them bulletproof vests? Teach them how to diffuse conflict? Hardly. Instead, he says, “Don’t ever be afraid of your enemies and critics. Even though it’s not obvious now, the truth will finally come out. So, speak up; shout it out; stand and deliver.” Oh, my. We don’t want to be heroes, especially not religious ones. It’s all we can do to get to church on Sundays, and we’re supposed to be shouting the word of God from the housetops? No way. We’re afraid. But Jesus doesn’t quit. “Stop being afraid” — not just once but always. “Stop being afraid of people who can kill the body but not the soul.” The point is that people can only hurt us temporarily because life comes from God. Even if they kill us, God, the author of life, will raise us. “Don’t fear people; fear God” — the one who can kill both body and soul. Contrary to popular opinion, Jesus says the voice of the people is not the voice of God. We worry way too much about what other people say or think of us and far too little about what God thinks of us. We know this is true. We’ve heard it before. But it’s easier said than done... The Gospel challenges us to ask what fears keep us from living our faith more openly. Sometimes we remain silent when we should speak a word of kindness or truth. Sometimes we hesitate to forgive, to serve, or to stand with those who are suffering because we fear criticism or discomfort. Jesus calls us to live with confidence, knowing that our lives rest in the hands of a faithful God. Christians also need the courage not to be ashamed of their faith. In many places, believers are tempted to keep religion private, avoiding any mention of hope, mercy, justice, or the Gospel for fear of criticism or rejection. Jesus’ words, “Do not be afraid,” are spoken precisely for moments like these. He reminds us that we belong to God and are precious in God’s sight. Can we trust God where we are? The Gospel says yes—not because life is easy, but because God does not abandon us in the middle of it. God is present in hospitals, prisons, schools, workplaces, broken homes, lonely apartments, and uncertain futures. Trust does not mean that we understand everything. It means that we believe that even when we feel weak, forgotten, or afraid, God still holds us in loving hands. Many ordinary Christians carry hidden burdens: caring for aging parents, struggling financially, grieving losses, worrying about children, facing illness, or trying to hold on to faith in a divided world. The courage Christ asks of us is to keep walking with him through all of it. Sometimes the greatest act of faith is simply getting up each day and believing that God is still with us. Jesus points to the sparrows and reminds us that not one of them is forgotten by God. Then he says, “You are worth more than many sparrows.” That is the foundation of Christian courage: not confidence in ourselves, but confidence that we are known, loved, and accompanied by God every step of the way. Never forget: God loves you as if you were the only person he ever made.