Love Casts out Fear

Written by Toni Morales on Friday of the First Week of Lent

The other evening, I was walking home.  It was dark.  A man with a dog was walking towards me, and then passed me.  We were both silent, but after he passed me, he said with irritation, “What kind of a neighborhood is this that you won’t say hello?”  Flustered, I said that I was sorry and wished him good evening.  The fact that I did not know him, and that I was a woman walking alone in the dark did not inspire my friendliness.  Yet, his response pointed to a truth: fear, justified or not, works against community and towards isolation.

Our readings today focus on our interactions with others.  Is our behavior virtuous or wicked?  Do we express anger toward others, or talk about others disparagingly?  While we would never consider murdering anyone, how many times have we committed “character assassination” with our words?  As Jesus notes in the gospel, such actions make us “liable to judgment” or “answerable to” religious authorities, or condemned to eternal punishment.  Knowing this, why do we persist in our coldness, verbal sniping, or irritation?

I attribute my own isolating behavior to my tiredness, busyness, or fear.  If I call a friend or family member, how much of my precious little leisure time will that cost me?  If I try to have a discussion with someone who has hurt me, will I be able to control the outcome?  Isn’t it just easier to stay away from that person and feel better by complaining to my friends?  If I bring these hurt/sad/angry feelings to prayer, will Jesus ask me to do something I’m too fearful and weak to do?

Yet Jesus calls us to act beyond our fear.  He offers us moment to moment His love and strength, especially at those times when we find ourselves least able to give.  Rather than resorting to behavior that is “safe” and self-justifying, Jesus invites us to take the joyful risk of loving our sisters and brothers as we join them to build the kingdom of God.

Question for Reflection:
In what situations or with whom do you find it most difficult to give of yourself?
What do you believe Jesus is telling you in these situations?

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Toni Morales
Toni is a long-time resident parishioner.  She works at UM helping undergraduate students determine their academic goals and the ways to reach them.
Email: weena@umich.edu