fearless
"Fear not, My people!" —Baruch 4:5
"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom should I fear?" (Ps 27:1) Jesus promises: "I have given you power to tread on snakes and scorpions and all the forces of the enemy, and nothing shall ever injure you" (Lk 10:19). "No weapon fashioned against you shall prevail; every tongue you shall prove false that launches an accusation against you. This is the lot of the servants of the Lord" (Is 54:17). The Lord repeatedly commands: "Fear not and do not stand in awe of what this people fears" (1 Pt 3:14).
Followers of Christ are distinguished by fearlessness. We are not afraid of anything (Mt 10:31), and not intimidated by our opponents in any situation. "Their opposition foreshadows downfall for them, but salvation" for us (Phil 1:28).
We overcome human fears by fear of the Lord. "He who fears the Lord is never alarmed, never afraid; for the Lord is his Hope" (Sir 34:14). We overcome human fears by faith in the Lord. "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust" (Lk 8:50). We overcome human fears by the love of the Lord. "Love has no room for fear; rather, perfect love casts out all fear" (1 Jn 4:18).
Our heavenly Father promises: "I am the Lord, your God, Who grasp your right hand; it is I Who say to you, 'Fear not, I will help you' " (Is 41:13).
Prayer: Father, fill me with love and faith so there is no room in me for fear.
Promise: "I offer You praise, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because what You have hidden from the learned and the clever You have revealed to the merest children." —Lk 10:21
Praise: The parents of Bl. Marie Rose discerned and followed God's will in raising their family. One of their children was a priest. Their youngest, Marie Rose, is a Blessed of the Church.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Evangelization on audio AV 58-3 or video V-58.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 2007
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.