Do Not Be Afraid!

In Samantha Power’s book, The Education of an Idealist, she quotes President Barack Obama in her afterword saying he liked to use the reference “Building the airplane while flying it.”

The quote really struck me for the absurdity of someone trying to do that, figuratively of course, and the fact that it is a reality for us today, literally.

For instance, with our country’s response to the deadly virus, we are trying to build that airplane without all of the parts, while trying to fly it without following directional signals.

It is, to speak the obvious, a very hard thing to do.  Thank goodness for some responsible governors who are really showing leadership during this crisis.  Thank goodness for the good people who are sacrificing some of their personal freedom, time and energy, to protect others.

We have much to be grateful for during these difficult times and it is best if we do not turn on each other, but continue to show the kindness and caring that reflects a country pulling together, rather than apart.

We are now faced, not with abstract ideals, but with tangible ways to show our love for each other.  We really need to embrace them.

In our community, we belong to an email list where people can express concerns about the neighborhood, from coyotes to lost kittens.  On this list we are warned of break-ins and suspicious activity, as well as tips on who has toilet paper in stock!

But naturally, this list also includes expressions of frustration and anger as well.  Well-intended neighbors who are doing all they can to stay safe raise their ire at a neighbor whose driveway was packed with people coming and going to an Easter party.

If you remember the week of drama we just went through with Judas, you cannot miss the fact that Jesus wasn’t isolated from people who didn’t believe in him, didn’t follow his ways, or were so set in their own ways that they had him crucified!

Well today, we turn a corner.  We find the two Mary’s at the tomb where Jesus was buried as dawn approached.  Following a great earthquake, an angel appeared to them.  And what is the first thing the angel said to them?

“Do not be afraid!  I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.  He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.”

Inviting the women to see the empty tomb, he instructed them to “go quickly and tell his disciples” that “he has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.”

Scripture tells us that the women were “fearful yet overjoyed” as they took off to tell the disciples the news.  On their way they encountered Jesus, “embraced his feet, and did him homage.”

And what did Jesus say to them?

“Do not be afraid.  Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Me thinks I see a pattern here.

Do not be afraid.  Go and tell others.  Jesus is present.

That is where we need to focus ourselves during this Octave of Easter.  This is what we need to center our lives on—that God became man in the person of Jesus, that he lived on this earth, and died for us. And the absurd reality that this is true.

It is now our responsibility to go forward, unafraid, to tell others the Good News.  Even in the midst of the darkness upon us in this world we live in, the Good News of the Resurrection has broken through, reminding us that this is not to be a time of fear, but a tangible opportunity to love in the midst of *suffering.

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogspot.com
janetcassidy.blubrry.net

*Please remember to check out my Uplifting Prayers