by Fr Oliver Tham
Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm 68:8-10,14,17,33-35
Romans 5:12-15
Matthew 10:26-33
Theme: Fear and Courage
If we look at our world today, it is very chaotic and it is a very confused world. Too many things are happening. Sometimes unnecessary things are happening. Not only around the world, probably in our own country as well. And in particular, especially when it comes to the issue of religion.
The only thing that Jesus tells us today is “Do not be afraid“. Probably it is easy for Jesus to say that but when the reality comes, we are afraid. I mean our humanness is that way. We will get afraid somehow or other. But when Jesus says “Do not be afraid”, it is a way of Jesus’ consolation and assurance that all will be okay. It is up to us on how we look at it.
As Christians, we need to know that God is always on our side. And God is always ready to help us to go through whatever difficulty that we have in our lives, in the country that we live in or whatever. But there is only one thing that Jesus will always tell us not to do and that is to breathe hatred when something bad happens. Never do that.
The more you breathe hatred, the more you breathe anger, the more you breathe negativity.
So if you are challenged for being Christian, for holding the name Christian, listen to what they have to say. And then when it is time and it is ready for us to say something in return, we invite the Holy Spirit first then we say it. Because without the Holy Spirit, we will not say anything that is positive that is coming out of us. Because we may make mistakes. Holy Spirit will tell us what to do, what to say in a proper way so that they can understand.
Because a lot of them, they don’t understand the whole concept of Christianity. They don’t. Probably they are not interested and that is why we are always being attacked. But Jesus said again “Don’t lose faith. Don’t be afraid.” He is always going to be there for each one of us. And what we need to do is to keep on asking God to walk with us, to help us carry our little crosses that we have. And asking Jesus to assure us that “Let me not be afraid anymore. Take the fear out of me and bring justice, to bring the truth that what I can do for my faith.”
So if Jesus has not given up on us, then we should not give up on ourselves. Never do that because at the end of the day, we must carry our faith to the end. Remember Christianity had struggled over the centuries but it remains, survive till today because Jesus promised all of us that He will continue to be with us.
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