THURSDAY HOMILY: 2ND WEEK IN ADVENT - YEAR B

THURSDAY HOMILY: 2ND WEEK IN ADVENT – YEAR B

THEME: FEAR NOT.

BY: FR. KARABARI PAUL

‘Fear not, I will help you.’

We will probably always have to deal with fear in one form or another. Anxiety is a natural response to our circumstances. There are things that can always cause us to fear. But we don’t have to let fear overcome us. Sometimes fear can become such a stronghold in our lives.

In the First Reading of today (Isaiah 41:13-20), the Bible says: “I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I will help you.” Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel.” For whatever you have to embark upon in life, your support system determines how far you can go. Fear comes in when we nurse a sense of inadequacy to face whatever is before us. However, when God is our back up, there is absolutely nothing we can be afraid of. The phrase ‘fear not’, or ‘don’t be afraid’, appears in the Bible about 365 times. It implies that each new day is guaranteed with the assurance of God’s presence with us. So each new day, God says to you, ‘fear not for whatever today has in store for you because I am with you.’

If we let fear control us, it can keep us from living to the full. Fear can stop us doing things which are outside of our comfort zone, which, in turn, can cause us to fear those things more. It is a cycle.

David said, ‘On God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can mortal man do to me?’ (Psalm 56:4). And David should know, because God enabled him to defeat a lion, a bear, and a giant. The story is told about the man who approached a farmhouse and every few yards he noticed signs that read, ‘Beware of Dog’. When he finally reached the farmhouse, he discovered the dog was a tiny Chihuahua. ‘You mean to tell me that little dog keeps people away?’ he asked. The farmer smiled and said, ‘No, but the signs do!’

Fear roars like a lion, but much of the time when we confront it, it’s just a Chihuahua! The truth is, you can face anything when you know God has promised. So instead of fearing the worst, start believing God for the best. And you do that by personalising His promises: ‘[There is nothing to fear], for I am with you…I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; I…will hold you up.’ ‘We are assured and know that God being a partner in their labour all things work together and are fitting into a plan for good to and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose’ (Romans 8:28).

Don’t let fear get the upper hand. Instead of giving in to it, stand on the Word of God and believe He is going to bring you through your circumstances and make you stronger. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy on us, heal our world, bless and protect us all through Christ, our Lord Amen. Good morning

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