Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
Readings: Jer. 20:10-13.; Responsorial Psalm Ps 68:8-10,14,17,33-35; Rom 5:12-15
& Gospel Matthew 10:26-33.
Theme: Do Not Be Afraid!
Introduction
Friends in Christ, fear has been
adjudged as man’s number one enemy. It makes you feel inferior and
also makes you lose out on many things in life. Fear has led many people to
their early graves. This reminds us of a quote from William Shakespeare’s
Julius Caesar: “A coward dies a hundred times before his death.” Knowing the
devastating effects of fear, Jesus charges us in the gospel (Matthew 10:26-33)
“Do not be afraid.” Our reflection today shall consider the types of fears
there are and posit possible ways of combating them in the light of the gospel.
Types of Fear
1. Negative Fears: We shall consider the fear of the past, the fear of the future, the fear
of the unknown, the fear of holiness, the fear of being caught and the fear of
men as negative types of fear:
a). Fear of the Past: Many people today are caught up in web of past sins or
guilt of things which may have happened in their lives many years ago. Because
they are held down by guilt and self-pity, they are afraid that others might
come to know their former ways and judge them.
b). Fear of the Future: Because most
young are tossed about by the vicissitudes of life, they fear the future. Many
young people are deceived into astrological horoscope or zodiac signs wanting
to know their fate in life; the fear of what the future holds for them has
landed many young people in the hands of crooks.
c). Fear of the Unknown: Fear of the unknown takes place when people become
paranoid suspecting everything and anyone around them to the point that they
are nihilistic – fear of the unknown makes them to doubt everything, sometimes
including the existence of God. These people easily have premonitions that evil
is lurking around the corner.
d). Fear of holiness: Most young people are afraid of holiness. There is a
tendency that holiness is for the aged or those
who have chopped life in Nigerian parlance. Perhaps this is why the Holy
Father, Pope Francis has consistently called on young people not to be afraid
of holiness.
e). Fear of being Caught: There is growing fear of not being caught which makes
some people to further plunge into sin. Popularly called the 11th
commandment, “thou shall not be caught,” the fear of being caught actually
makes people to commit sin.
f). Fear of Men: In the gospel, Jesus warns “Don not be afraid of those who cannot kill
the soul.” This is indicative that our fear should be directed to God not human
beings. More often than not, we fear our parents, spouses or superiors more
than God. We are often prepared to displease God in order to please human beings.
This is what constitutes fear of men.
2. Positive Fears: Brother and Sisters in Christ, we shall consider the fear of sin, the
fear of hell and the fear of God as positive fears in the light of Jesus’
charge: “Do not be afraid.”
a) Fear of Sin:
As children of God, we are called to fear sin. This is positive fear because if we shun sin,
God’s abiding presence remains with us. As such, Jesus calls us to be afraid of
sin so as to please him.
b) Fear of
Hell: Contrary to the opinion that doing good because one is afraid of hell is not
good, it is noble to realize the danger of losing one’s soul which Jesus talks
about in the gospel so as to amend one’s ways and make heaven. If the fear of
hell would make us to make heaven, so be it.
