“Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear!”
Most of the people in our Gospel today act out of fear. Every Apostle flees when soldiers come to
arrest Jesus. Peter, after promising to
never abandon Jesus, several hours later denies even knowing Jesus three times
out of fear.
Pontius Pilate knows Jesus is innocent, but out of fear of
the Jews and fear of losing his power, condemns Jesus to death anyway.
Many of us are tempted to be fearful. Certainly the Devil has a lot of ammunition
to make us fearful in 2024…wars, rumors of wars, plagues, elections…
But Jesus says, over and over again “DO NOT BE AFRAID!” The phrase “do not be afraid” is the most frequent
phrase in the Bible.
If you heard Fr. Vince Lampert’s talk, he confirms that the
Devil wants us afraid, wants us to think God is NOT in control and that God is
NOT in charge. But the Devil is a liar.
One of the few people who does not act out of fear in the
events surrounding Jesus’ Crucifixion is Jesus’ best friend the Apostle
John. St. John the Apostle stands by the foot of the Cross unafraid and unwavering. And the Apostle John has written
several letters that are in the New Testament.
In one of those letters St. John writes “Perfect Love casts out ALL fear” (1 John 4:18)
At this and every Mass, Jesus, who is Perfect Love, shows up
when the priest prays the Words of Consecration. At the end of this Mass you will have the
opportunity to spend a few minutes in silent adoration in the Real Presence of
Perfect Love. Whatever you might be
afraid of in your life today…turn those fears over to Jesus who is Perfect
Love, and ask Jesus to cast out all your fears.
You will be amazed at what will happen!
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