A constant theme in both the daily and Sunday Scripture lessons of late has been that of fear, more specifically, its seductive powers and our need to renounce it. The first words out of the mouth of God to Abram are, “Do not be afraid.” Jesus talks to his friends and students in the same way, “Do not be afraid.” Afraid of what? There is a saying in the Army: If you can remain calm while everything around you is going to hell, you have obviously misunderstood the gravity of the situation.
All around us the world is literally going to hell. The “gospel of the culture” keeps on preaching gratification and success, and the fruit of that path becomes foreclosure and recession. The Gospel of Jesus keeps on preaching too. To what does this gospel call us today? It calls us to renounce fear and get prepared.
This is hurricane season in Florida. We are cautioned once again to be ready in the event of a storm. One of the ways we can be prepared is to have a hurricane survival kit. In this kit we should have several essential items: important papers, first aid supplies, and some food and water.
This is also post-Pentecost season. We live in the “season” of the Church after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. In fact, we are well beyond the Apostolic Age and the age of Christendom.
Like Floridians who have been warned over-and-over that the “Big One” is coming, we have been told over-and-ever that our Lord will come again for us. We should have a spiritual readiness kit as well. In that kit we should have some essential items:
Important Papers – Holy Scripture, devotional books, a prayer journal, and other material that keeps us inspired, informed, and equipped. The stories, lessons, history, and hope that is embedded in Holy Writ can slow but surely change us and deliver us from the power of darkness, replacing the demons of fear and doubt with the angels of love and peace.
First Aid – When life is tough and seems unfair we should turn to our “kit” that God has given us. First aid should include having a few trusted persons to whom we may turn. There is no suggestion that we try to keep a stiff upper lip and weather the storms of life alone. We need each other.
Food & Water – The most basic sacraments of the Church are baptism and holy communion. The water of baptism speaks to us of cleansing, of forgiveness, of renewal. We can come to the waters of baptism not just once in life, but over and over to be reminded of the eternal wellspring of life and love. The communion we share is food for the soul. The simple gifts of bread and wine remind us again and again that God is here to give us today our daily bread.
We should live somewhere between complacency and fear. We need an honest attitude about the limits and brevity of human life on the one hand, and the gift of eternal life on the other. We are called to do much more than to simply wait around for redemption.
As members of the baptized eucharistic community of Jesus we are called to be dressed and ready for action. We have been given a “spiritual readiness kit” to meet the challenges of daily life. Pray for the willingness and motivation to use the gifts that God has given us to accomplish the mission of the Church.
