Forward Today: Be Not Afraid

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In this week’s edition of our weekly newsletter, Scott Gunn reminds us of Jesus’ message for difficult times: Be not afraid.

Dear friends in Christ,

Today brings yet more horrifying news, as we absorb the tragedy of an attack on the international airport in Istanbul. Of course, we should pray for the dead and wounded. Jesus also told us to pray for our enemies, and so we too should pray for those who wish us harm.

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Jesus said, again and again, “Be not afraid.” That message is found throughout our scriptures. “Be not afraid.” It’s so easy to say, and yet so hard to do. Perhaps it will help us to infuse our lives with prayer and to drink deeply from the well of God’s word in scripture. Our story is itself a bulwark against the power of those who would sow fear. When the forces of wickedness did their best to crush God’s perfect love in Jesus Christ by killing him, God raised Jesus to new life.

The Resurrection is a forceful witness that God’s love is stronger than any evil, stronger even than death. The Resurrection taunts hatred and fear.

There are many people in our world who benefit when we are afraid. Some people would prefer that we surround ourselves with might. While we can certainly take steps to be safe, we must also remember that perfect love casts out fear, that the call of the Gospel is to proclaim God’s love, not to cower in fear. Let us Christians stand boldly and echo what our Our Lord pronounced. “Be not afraid.”
 
Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
 
(Book of Common Prayer, page 216)
 
Yours faithfully, 
 

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

 

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