When the Lord promises something very great, He often announces His promise by commanding us not to fear (see Lk 1:13, 30; Mt 1:20). The implication is that when we give in to fear, we may sabotage God's work in our lives.

A covenant is one of the antidotes to fear, and it is also an assurance of the fulfillment of God's promises. After God commanded Abram not to fear and promised him a very great reward (Gn 15:1), "the Lord made a covenant with Abram" (Gn 15:18). Likewise, the Lord has made with us the ultimate covenant in His blood (Mt 26:28) when He died on the cross for us. We have entered this covenant by being baptized into His death (Rm 6:3). By living our baptismal covenant, we overcome fear and are assured of the fulfillment of God's promises.

Renew your baptismal promises; do not fear. Bless yourself with holy water. What God has promised you in Baptism will be fulfilled. Celebrate the anniversary of your Baptism; do not fear. Live practically your Baptism by being in a small Christian community. "So now acknowledge with your whole heart and soul that not one of all the promises the Lord, your God, made to you has remained unfulfilled. Every promise has been fulfilled for you, with not one single exception" (Jos 23:14). Do not fear. "Whatever promises God has made have been fulfilled in [Jesus]" (2 Cor 1:20). You are baptized into Him. Alleluia!

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 22, 2017

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