Fear has always been a major factor in life. Many people even make fear a way of life. They live in fear (see Lk 12:32) and are lifelong slaves through their fear of death (Heb 2:15). In the Bible, the Lord commands us 365 times: "Do not be afraid" (see Mt 10:26, 28, 31). He commands: "Do not fear; only believe" (Mk 5:36, our transl). He promises that the fear of the Lord can remove the fear of man from our lives. "He who fears the Lord is never alarmed, never afraid; for the Lord is his Hope" (Sir 34:14). Moreover, "perfect love casts out all fear" (1 Jn 4:18). The fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom but also of fearlessness. Then our faith, hope, and love in the Lord displace fear from our lives.

The Holy Spirit gives us this fear of the Lord. Faith and love are fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), and our hope will not leave us disappointed because the Spirit has poured out Christ's love in our hearts (Rm 5:5). Therefore, "do not fear." The Lord says it again and again: "Do not fear." The Spirit we have received is no fearful Spirit (2 Tm 1:7), "so do not be afraid of anything" (Mt 10:31).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 28, 1998

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 1, 1998