A writer recently commented that she believed that the root of all sin is fear. She wasn’t writing about the fears we feel as we hear about the new war that somehow we find ourselves in, but something deeper. Fearful of material poverty, we are not as generous as we ought to be. Fearful of hunger, we gorge on certain foods. Fearful of what we might find inside ourselves, we cut short prayer or abandon it altogether.
It is more than an interesting way to look at sin, especially if we look at fear in a social, political, or national setting. Politicians fearful of looking weak, bluster about and act aggressively. People, afraid of economic uncertainty, find someone or something to blame. And that fear leads to actions that destroy us as a community.
We don’t act rationally when we are afraid or uncertain. We are easily manipulated into casting blame by those who wanting to keep their power use fear as a tool. Autocrats have known this for a long time. Fear can block us from being faithful disciples. We certainly see that in the responses of the ones who accompanied Jesus as he went to Jerusalem. How do we overcome our fears today?
Prayer for the Day
Surround us, ever present Spirit, with your word,
Reminding us that you are constant in our lives.
In this fearful time we want certainty and stability,
But that through your Presence we can overcome fear.
Enable us, we pray, to overcome the despair we often feel,
Empowering us to share your vision of justice and peace.
In the name of the One who is our strength,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.
Jeanne D’Arc (1412-1431)
I have come to understand and listen to the fear. I walk towards it and I lean into it to find new information — and the things it has to teach me.
Tracee Ellis Ross, American actress
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the trouble of my heart and bring me out of my distress.
Psalm 25:17