Be Not Afraid

 

What scares you? Some people are afraid of spiders and snakes. Others are afraid of the dark or heights. Still others are afraid of dentists or wild animals like bears, lions or sharks.

My friend, Mark, spent 20 years on a Navy submarine. There were times that his submarine did not come out of the ocean for several weeks. I don’t know if I could have ever been a submariner, and so I asked Mark, “What was your biggest fear when you were on the submarine?” Do you know what he said? … He said, “Fire. A fire on a submarine is the worst thing that could happen.” I never thought of that.

Now, in our Gospel today (Mk 4:35-41), the Apostles are afraid that they are going to die, and so they wake Jesus from his sleep. That’s right. While the apostles’ boat was being tossed around by the sea, Jesus was fast asleep. He must have been exhausted!

And what did Jesus say after he calmed the storm? He asked his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

At times, when we are afraid, we need to remind ourselves of Jesus’ words, “Why are you so afraid?” As long as God Father, Son or Holy Spirit are with us, we have no reason ever to be afraid. That is why we turn to the Church, the Sacraments, prayer and the Bible when we are afraid. They strengthen and comfort us, and we are sure that God hears and answers our prayers.

With that, let us pray. Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless these and all children, and give their parents the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.