Fear. It is a very powerful emotion. One that is shared across the animal kingdom. From man to amoeba. It can motivate some vital survival behaviors or lead to irrational responses. When I was in veterinary practice I had a specialty in animal behavior. Meaning that I treated animals (mostly dogs and cats) for a variety of behavior issues. But the most common behavior I dealt with was aggression. Particularly in dogs. Now many people will say it is not the dog that causes the problem…it is the owner. And in some cases that is true. Normal dogs being abused or trained in an ignorant manner. But, in my experience, these cases were in the minority. In my practice I saw dogs who behaved in a manner that was inconsistent with normal canine behavior.
And fear was often at the root cause. Many of my patients had what we termed as overly reactive behavior. The part of the brain, the amygdala, which is responsible for immediate action in an emergency, worked overtime. Meaning that relatively innocuous situations were seen as threatening by the dog and reflexively the amygdala kicked in triggering a flight or fight response. This tendency seemed to be an inherited trait in that this behavior typically was present from puppyhood. Self preservation is the ultimate goal and comes before all else.
And in humans there are some individuals who pathologically react in a similar way. Over reacting to the point of violence. But far more commonly are those of us who are molded over time by the prospect of injury, illness or death. The world expects us to act this way. Any normal person would avoid these circumstances at all costs. And what do most “normal” people do when faced with fear, particularly fear of death? If there is no belief that there is an eternity waiting, how would the non-believer deal with the prospect of a finite existence? I would submit…denial. And how would one lead a life like this? A life where, at its end, there is nothing. I would expect that the individual would essentially go for all the gusto available.
From today’s Gospel from Luke:
“Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life…”
A lack of faith, therefore, can result in the fear of illness and death which can then lead to a focus on self. On achieving power, wealth and pleasure. Creating an even greater divide between the individual and the Creator.
“…and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.”
EVERYONE…not a few. EVERYONE will be assaulted. So what should we do?
“Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent..”
This is not to say to not be concerned about one’s own health and that of friends and family. It also does not mean to ignore life saving opportunities when faced with significant illness. But we should not let fear of these things lead us away from our relationship with God and the primary goal of being with Him forever.
Look at Peter when he asked Jesus to call to Him on the waters. As he remained focused on Christ, he stayed afloat. But when fear of the waves and drowning took over, he began to sink. Took his eyes off the Lord and stopped trusting in Him.
Then there is the story of Moses sending out the spies to investigate the land across the Jordon. To assess whether their enemies there could be defeated. All but Caleb and Joshua feared the “giants” living in the land of Canaan and implored Moses not to do battle. Moses took their advice and God made them to wander aimlessly in the desert for another 40 years. All of that generation died, except for Joshua and Caleb. God allowed them both to enter the promised land after the 40 years of wandering. And we know “the rest of the story” with Joshua leading the Israelites to victory after victory over the tribes in Canaan.
If we remain steadfast in our focus and relationship on God through the Scriptures, Sacraments and the Church, we will be much better equipped to ignore the fears and subsequent temptations which Satan uses to distract us from the Lord. For if we remain in Christ during our lives here, then, in the end, we will be sure to:
“…stand before the Son of Man.”
