"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom should I fear?" (Ps 27:1) Jesus promises: "I have given you power to tread on snakes and scorpions and all the forces of the enemy, and nothing shall ever injure you" (Lk 10:19). "No weapon fashioned against you shall prevail; every tongue you shall prove false that launches an accusation against you. This is the lot of the servants of the Lord" (Is 54:17). The Lord repeatedly commands: "Fear not and do not stand in awe of what this people fears" (1 Pt 3:14).
Followers of Christ are distinguished by fearlessness. We are not afraid of anything (Mt 10:31), and not intimidated by our opponents in any situation. "Their opposition foreshadows downfall for them, but salvation" for us (Phil 1:28).
We overcome human fears by fear of the Lord. "He who fears the Lord is never alarmed, never afraid; for the Lord is his Hope" (Sir 34:14). We overcome human fears by faith in the Lord. "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust" (Lk 8:50). We overcome human fears by the love of the Lord. "Love has no room for fear; rather, perfect love casts out all fear" (1 Jn 4:18).
Our heavenly Father promises: "I am the Lord, your God, Who grasp your right hand; it is I Who say to you, 'Fear not, I will help you' " (Is 41:13).
| PRAYER: | Father, fill me with love and faith so there is no room in me for fear. |
| PROMISE: | "I offer You praise, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because what You have hidden from the learned and the clever You have revealed to the merest children." –Lk 10:21 |
| PRAISE: | The parents of Bl. Marie Rose discerned and followed God's will in raising their family. One of their children was a priest. Their youngest, Marie Rose, is a Blessed of the Church. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College