Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter
As human beings, every single one of us must deal with fear. Some of us may not identify with this, but it is the truth. The Scriptures today present us with this issue...how can I live my life as a follower of Jesus while I am faced each and every day with fear. This is a foundational test of our faith in our Savior. In many ways, it is where the rubber meets the road.
In today's reading from Acts, the community Paul addresses were completely unaware of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2). They told Paul they had been baptized by John the Baptist; after their encounter with Paul, they were baptized in the name of Jesus. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks with his disciples assuring them of his presence through the Spirit even while they are persecuted...although they will have trouble in the world, even while they do not have Jesus physically present. They do not understand the gravity of this at the time, they will eventually experience the meaning of these words in the most profound of ways.
You and I know how true it is that there is ‘trouble’ around every corner. It seems the more we invest in this life the more trouble seems to accompany us. But the other part of what Jesus says to his disciples is, “...take courage, I have conquered the world.” When Jesus says this to his disciples, he is letting them know that, even though they follow him, believe in him, have given their lives to him, suffering and fear will still be a reality in their lives. And so it is with us...
Whatever it is that causes fear in my life, Jesus promises he has conquered the world...he has conquered evil. If I hold tight to that which I fear and cannot let Jesus take control, I allow my fear to control me. The part I need do is identify and accept what I fear and then turn it over to Jesus. Spending just a few minutes in prayer this day (with an open heart) reflecting on the Gospel, God can help me identify what I fear, push away, deny, insist on controlling, keep to myself. If I am willing to recognize those things I dare not share even with my closest loved ones, much less Jesus, I can choose to turn toward the way of living life in truth, living life in love rather than fear. This day, may I turn again toward Jesus--toward love. May I recognize those moments when the ‘rubber meets the road’ and remember that it is Jesus who has already conquered the world.
--Gail Lyman