a lazy fear
“Out of fear I went off and buried your thousand silver pieces.” —Matthew 25:25 “His master exclaimed: ‘You worthless, lazy lout!’ ” —Matthew 25:26
In today’s Gospel parable, Jesus links fear and laziness. The master implies strongly that doing nothing is not “neutral”; rather, it is wicked and lazy (see Mt 25:26). According to the parable, when we give in to fear and allow it to paralyze us, we are lazy.
It takes diligence, effort, and prayer to overcome fear. Battling fear is hard work. The author of Hebrews tells us: “Do not grow lazy, but imitate those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises” (Heb 6:12). We are to actively fight wickedness, laziness, and apathy.
Often we bury our fears to protect ourselves. Yet when we bury our fears, we may also be burying our talents “out of fear” (Mt 25:25). Are we living in fear? Beg the Lord for more love, since perfect love casts out all fear (1 Jn 4:18). Repent! Place your fears at the altar during Mass and present them to God.
Jesus says: “Fear is useless; what is needed is trust” (Mk 5:36). Don’t bury your fears and thereby grow lazy. Give your fears to the Lord, and let Him fill you with the Holy Spirit’s gift of fortitude.
Prayer: Father, You are my refuge and strength. Therefore I shall not fear (Ps 46:2-3).
Promise: “Come, share your Master’s joy!” —Mt 25:21
Praise: Warren received the call to be a priest at age seven and held that call in his heart until he was old enough to live it out.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period August 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 2023
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