Be Courageous Witnesses

06-14-2020Weekly Reflection

Jesus tells His disciples they must not be afraid, “nothing is concealed that will not be revealed…. Be afraid of the one who can destroy both the body and the soul” There will always be oppositions, but a disciple should not be paralyzed by fear, but continue to proclaim the Gospel to the mountaintops. Fear can indeed paralyze us and even silence us. Sometimes we dilute or soften the message of the Gospel to make it easier or to avoid the consequences of proclaiming the truths of the Gospel. But the bottom line is, God is Love, He loves us, provides for us, and protects us.

At the Ascension, Jesus entrusted His mission to His disciples, “Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good news.” He wants us to proclaim the full truth of the Gospel, the fulfillment of His mission depends on them and their own salvation as well. Jesus warned them of the oppositions, they will be persecuted and people will reject them and their message, therefore do not be afraid. The song, “Be not afraid”, captures this danger and risk in the mission, “Be not afraid, I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give you rest…” What they learned from Jesus, they must proclaim to the mountaintop, even at the cost of death, and like Jesus, perhaps, death on the cross.

In our mission, have we taken the safe route, the convenient way in the face of dangers and oppositions? Let us examine our conscience, how many times have we compromised and denied the Lord and His Gospel truths just to keep safe, or not to rock the boat. Jesus says, “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.” Jesus warns His listeners, “But whoever denies me before others I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

Fear is overcome by faith or total trust in God. To conquer fear, develop the discipline of holding on to God. A good interior life and a strong relationship with God helps us face and overcome our fears, and through prayer, we gain courage and see the light beyond at the end of the tunnel and beyond. Remember, the Holy Spirit is our advocate, pray the prayer, “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And enkindle in them the fire of your love…” As they say, “When we feed our faith we will starve our fears to death.”

We ask ourselves: Do we want to be agents of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete or to be agents of the evil one, the master of fear and deception?

A beautiful prayer for this week: “Lord, help us to trust more and worry less, to hope more and despair less, to believe more and doubt less, to pray more and talk less, to praise more and criticize less.”

Last June 6, four men from our diocese were ordained to the Priesthood, Dcn. Estevan Wetzel, Dcn. Nathaniel Glenn, Dcn. Gabriel Terrill and our very own, Dcn. Kevin Penkalski, we praise, glorify and thank God for their courage and generosity, an inspiration for all of us. May these new priests be filled with the zeal and courage to proclaim the Gospel and the mission to bring Jesus’ message of salvation to all.

Lord, give as the courage in our weakness and doubts, and to fear not for You are with us always and in all ways.