Good News Reflection Today’s Readings: It takes faith to love despite our fears What causes us to be afraid? Basically, the root of every fear is the assumption that we are not loved, not really-really loved. We're afraid of being open and honest with others because they might take advantage of it to hurt us. We're afraid our prayers won't be answered because God doesn't care. And we're afraid we're not worthy of being loved, because deep down we're not loving ourselves. Today's first reading describes the various ways that we act in love, and then it points out that by relying on the help of God who is love, we have nothing to fear. Elsewhere in scripture, we're told that "there is no fear in love, because perfect love drives out fear...." (1 John 4:18). Overcoming fear takes faith. It takes faith to "let brotherly love continue" when the brother is irritating us and we're afraid of getting hurt again. It takes faith to "not neglect hospitality" when we're tired of unpleasant people and we're afraid of what our kindnesses might lead to. It takes faith to "be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment" when we know they violated the law and we wouldn't want to bump into them in a dark alley. It takes faith to not fear being overwhelmed by the neediness of the abused and others who've been ill-treated. It takes faith to persevere in a marriage when stresses in the relationship make us afraid of the spouse's rejection or misunderstanding or betrayal or emotional outbursts. It takes faith to keep the marriage bed undefiled instead of turning to a substitute for the spouse when we feel neglected. It takes faith to stay free of the love of money and be content with what we already have when we're afraid it's not going to be enough. It takes faith to use our money and possessions for the benefit of others when we're afraid it will be misused. When we do everything "in love", we do it in Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will not abandon us in our needs. The risks we take for the sake of love keep us safely in God's protective care and helpfulness. Our loving deeds won't always produce the results that we'd like to see, and we surely will get hurt when we courageously love everyone unconditionally, but this is not what matters – not really. What matters is that God works everything out for good. If what we're afraid might happen does indeed happen, he will turn it into a blessing. That is the generosity of his love for us! © 2011 by Terry A. Modica
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Friday, February 4, 2011
It takes faith to love despite our fears
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