Sunday, September 9, 2018 – Fear Not

It’s a rainy Saturday evening here in Indiana in the U.S. The remnants of a recent hurricane are dumping inches of rain on the area, and it has just been a cool, dreary day. And so, it was a perfect day to be in a room with 100+ other Catholic men, seeking to grow in our faith.  This was the second year we put on this men’s conference, and it has become a great event for the men of our parish.  This is also partly the reason I am posting so late. Well, that and I’m a procrastinator and failed to get this written earlier in the week!

Anyway, there was a young gentleman at my table, not too far out of college, a father of a young child, husband to a young wife. He was looking at the world, at himself, the responsibility of being a father and husband in today’s world and he was frightened – frightened of who he was, and who he was not.  He saw all his faults, his shortcomings, and he was worried that he was not being the man he should be.

As I reflected on these readings this evening, I could not help but think about this fear. And the following verse in the first reading from Isaiah stuck out to me:

Thus says the LORD:
Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God, he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense he comes to save you.

Fear not!  But in the midst of this world, how can we feel this way? How can we live it?

Now I share some of these same fears with this man.  I look in the mirror every day and wonder how I can live up to the person God intends me to be, who He wills that I be. I’ve been in his shoes, wondering how I can possibly be an adequate husband and father.

But then I remember readings like the one above, littered all throughout the Bible about how God shows no partiality. He shows no bias and He will give us the strength to weather any storm in our lives, He will give us the strength to overcome any challenge, and yes, any fears that block our path in life.

He loves us all, always. Good and bad. Sin or no sin. He wants the best for us, yet we have to choose it. He cannot force us to make the decisions. He can influence, but ultimately, we need to make the choice to seek Him, to love Him, and to love others. And its through Jesus where this example is set.

The most important thing, the biggest piece of the puzzle is simply showing up. And so that’s the message we told this young man at our table – the fact that you’re here, at this event, asking these questions about yourself and seeking to get better – that’s half the battle, maybe more. You simply showed up. You’re on the right track. Don’t give up. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t give in to the fear. Fight. Seek Him. Seek His love.

This weeks readings for Mass

About the Author

My name is Joe LaCombe, and I am a Software Developer in Fishers, Indiana in the USA. My wife Kristy and I have been married for 19 years and we have an awesome boy, Joseph, who is in 5th Grade! We are members of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Carmel, Indiana where we volunteer with various adult faith ministries. I love writing, and spending time with my family out in the nature that God created, and contemplating His wonders. I find a special connection with God in the silence and little things of everyday life, and I love sharing those experiences with all of you.

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6 Comments

  1. I am close to 80 but remember where you are at so clearly. I was also a runner for 23 years and ran countless races until my knees went. I have 4 children and 10 grandchildren and I am glad you
    have the faith and practice it. Keep going for we all have many trials and sorrows but He is real and
    will be with us all the way. He doesn’t expect perfection but faith and He’ll keep working to make us more and more like Him. God bless you and your family. Turn all suffering over to God. Trust in him.

  2. Thank you Joe. At times we all ask questions and have doubts. Stick with the plan and it always works out. The fear part can be scary but the faith part always rules. Very nice reflection.

  3. Joe, thank you that was great and anonymous-close to 80….that was beautiful. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

  4. Joe, thanks again for your striking reflections that always bring us back to the realities of life. There are many more people like the gentle man used in your reflection. I am one of them. I am always doubting myself, asking if I am doing the will of God as He desires. I know I am not neither do trusty fears and problems to God, though I profess that easily to others. It is easier said than done. It is tough to be fear-free in the midst of all the bombardment of evils happening all over around us. I pray for courage and wisdom to answer to the will of God before I depart. Thanks and God bless you and your family for your evangelization.

  5. I expected a reflection on the word Jesus used to open the man’s ears – instead I heard once again what I have heard countless times – Fear Not! Thank you. Have a blessed Sunday. ?

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