On the evening of that first day of the week,
John 20:19
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
I can just see the disciples huddled together in fear. Fear of what was to come. Fear of the unknown. Their lives had been rocked, and chaos and despair ushered in.
Fear. That’s such a funny word. One word – multiple meanings. One definition is to be afraid, to feel anxiety or apprehension on behalf of something that we regard as dangerous, or concerning. The disciples were definitely afraid and concerned.
But the other definition is completely different – to regard with reverence and awe. This is what it means to fear God. I think back to a devotion I read the other day, where I read the following:
When you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.
Oswald Chambers
I think this sums up the two definitions of fear, and how it can transform and free up your life, or it can restrict and control it.
The disciples, on Pentecost, were transformed by the Holy Spirit. What started as a day of fear for those who were persecuting them, fear and concern for what was to happen, locked up in a room, they were freed by the reverence and awe – the Fear of God – before them and within them. They were taken to new heights.
They no longer feared the world and the unknown, because they knew Christ, they were in awe and revered His Presence and Power within them, and they were no longer afraid. They had purpose. They had a Mission.
We can learn from and be inspired by this. We too can be transformed and freed from the bondage of fear in this world. How often do we look at Jesus with awe and reverence?
Do we feel His Presence in our daily lives? Do we look at Him in the form of the Bread and Wine during Mass – and are we in awe of His Presence before us?
Do you believe it is Him? Do you pray to Him at this time for your petitions, knowing that during the Mass when He is Present is the most powerful time of prayer, because you are there face to face with the Lord?
All too often, we don’t fear the Lord in this way. We fear the world instead.
When circumstances happen, we often lock ourselves up and close others off, including God. The thing is, He can enter our heart and soul – even though the doors are locked. So why fight Him?
Why be afraid and worry about all the world throws at us, and instead why not just kneel in reverent prayer to the One who created it all? Why not simply bask in the glory and awe of His Presence before us? Why not let Him fill your heart and soul with His very Love and Power?
This doesn’t mean that the world and circumstances won’t stop throwing things at us, but it does mean we don’t need to be afraid, because Christ will be with us and within us. He will provide, and when we Fear Him with reverent awe, there is nothing in this world to fear.
