Parish of St. Edward the Confessor Daily Lenten/Easter Reflections


lent
February 25, 2008

By

Matt Brubaker


lent

Reading 1
Psalm
Gospel

Text of Reflection:  
February 25, 2008

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face…you must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

                                                                   Eleanor Roosevelt

I have known fear in my life. I am certain you have known the same fear in yours. There is the feeling, at times, that no one cares or understands us, that we walk our own particular way of the cross alone, that our efforts just aren’t good enough when it comes to making this world a better place for all peoples to live in peace. Carcinogens and good cholesterol and bad cholesterol confuse and threaten us, and our retirement accounts look pathetically small. The grey heirs come in and our own mortality becomes the 800 pound gorilla in the room. And that’s just a few of the things going on inside of us.
 
This world can be a scary place to live. With terrorists blowing up buildings and random natural disasters taking the lives of thousands, with global warming imperiling future generations and nuclear weapons in the hands of unstable regimes, the temptation to give in to fear is powerful indeed.

Jesus never promised us that we would never be afraid if we followed him. The opposite is true. He said we would have to pick up our cross daily and follow him to Calvary. But he told us time and again that we must face out fears and make our journey with him at our side.
 
I love the image in today’s gospel…Jesus has just offered his hometown the way to peace through following him. Instead it is they who lead him to the brow of the hill that they might cast him over the side. No doubt he knew fear at that moment. He did not give in to that fear. He faced it. Whose fear was greater, that of Jesus who knew what he was about, or that of the townspeople who were afraid to stretch their understanding and experience the presence of God in this gentle servant. Jesus proves the stronger. Luke tells us he simply went forward, through them, and continued his journey. Imagine what we could do in this world if we had the same confidence and faith in ourselves and trust in God.
 
The next time you are afraid, look to your side. Notice the presence of the Lord who is always with you, if not a few steps ahead. Look at his confidence. Let him help you face that fear. Let him help you walk in faith and confidence to that place of peace only he can offer. It’s easier to get where you want to go if you are following one who already knows the way.