By Amalraj A csc –
Readings: Gen 49:29-32, 50:15-26; Mt 10:24-33
People fear a lot of things. The fear that they have towards difficulties in life makes them prepared to face life in all circumstances. As part of the preparation, people get educated, seek a good job and try to have some bank balance to support them in times of emergency. If there is a natural calamity, none of this preparation is an assurance for life.
The present situation of the Covid pandemic too has caused great challenges for life. For nearly one and half years, people have stopped their unnecessary travel, gathering in public places and most people are living their lives behind closed doors. All these changes are just because of the fear of getting infected with the corona virus. As we are in such a miserable condition, today’s gospel becomes a great consolation as Jesus says that we are precious in the sight of God. Also, the gospel gives an invitation to go beyond this physical world and be afraid of God who alone can destroy both our body and soul in hell.
The life of humanity is designed in such a way that everyone has problems, and all must face them. Most of the times, we try to use our intelligence but fail to solve the problem. Proverbs 9:10 says, “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” The fear of the Lord will certainly give us the wisdom to face all the challenges of the world. Here, the fear of the Lord is not being afraid of God, but it is the manifestation of our complete surrender to the Lord in all life situations where we are completely depending on him for everything, be it life or death. This fear certainly will lead us to salvation.