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The inner word

22 Mar 2015 - Fifth Sunday of Lent, Cycle B

Though the Letter to the Hebrews talks a lot about Jesus the High Priest, the perfect and holy one, it does not ignore his humanity; in fact, the book embraces it. Jesus “was in the flesh” and prayed “with loud cries and tears.” Jesus knew what it was like to be a human being. He experienced fear and anguish. Yet his faith in “the one who was able to save him from death” carried him through and even made him the source of eternal life for all. What uncertainties and fears do you face? How can faith in God transform them? How can you be a source of strength and encouragement for others?

fear

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In other words

10 Aug 2014 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night. Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about 4 o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!” From New Message 4 Next Week (actapublications.com/newmessage4nextweek) based on The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition by Eugene Peterson (ACTA Publications, 2014).

Miracle Courage fear

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Sign & sacrament

10 Aug 2014 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

One of the most famous of Jesus’ miracle stories is his calming of the waves. You remember: He and the disciples are out on a lake and a big wind comes along and starts to swamp the boat. The disciples panic and go to Jesus—who’s sleeping peacefully. You’d think these men, some of whom are fishermen and presumably have been through storms before, would keep their nerve a little better. “Lord, save us!” they cry nonetheless, and Jesus, before settling the storm, chides them for their fragile faith. Christ has faith-building power over the sea, and by implication over the chaos people frequently encounter. This tale tells its hearers that Christ will protect his own. Have some faith in his care today.

Faith Miracle fear

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Homily themes

10 Aug 2014 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

So there was Elijah, on the same mountain where Moses and the Israelites encountered the mighty presence of God. There were the disciples, having their own encounter with God’s presence in Jesus’ power over the elements of creation. All of them were afraid. But there was no reason to fear. The voice of the Lord came through, whether small or in the commanding words of Jesus, and what is needed is to listen for that voice. What is it saying? Not only “do not be afraid”; it is also issuing a call: for Elijah to take up again his prophetic mission, and for the disciples have the courage to step out of a boat in the middle of the night.

call Elijah fear listening

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Sign & sacrament

17 Nov 2013 - Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

If you pay attention to the news, it wouldn’t be too much to think the world is going to you-know-where in a handbasket. Violence, crime, corruption, illness, poverty, ignorance, and plain old self-centeredness seem to rule the day. In Jesus’ time some said those kinds of things were signs of the end of the world. Christ himself knew the list: “powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place.” But he also urged caution: “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified . . . it will not immediately be the end.” In other words, whatever is going on in the world, we are not to be afraid. We can trust in God and do what we can for the cause of goodness.

Trust fear

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The inner word

13 Nov 2011 - Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Trusting God comes easy for those who do it often and prepares them for the most difficult times. How able am I to trust God and follow the divine commands set before me? What are the outcomes when I try to control or manipulate a situation? What can I do to be more trusting that all shall be well without my interference? What are my greatest fears? Do I have the courage or desire to let God help me through them?

Trust commands fear

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The inner word

07 Aug 2011 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

God often speaks to us in quiet ways, like the whisper Elijah heard. When has God spoken to you in a whisper? Do you have quiet space and time in your life to hear a whisper? Paul is saddened by the fact that the good news is rejected by so many of his own people. When have you met rejection in your efforts to preach the gospel to people you thought would be receptive to it? How have you responded? Peter sinks in the water when he allows his fear to overwhelm him. When have you felt overwhelmed by fear? Can you think of instances when Jesus kept you from drowning in your own fear?

Elijah fear preach

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Homily stories

02 Nov 2014 - Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), Cycle A

I’m afraid of flying. I know that my fear is irrational. I know that air transportation is one of the safest forms of travel. So I try to conquer my anxiety by trying to understand why I’m afraid. I think it’s simply fear of the unknown. I can’t comprehend how a giant hunk of metal filled with people and fuel can defy gravity. I reason that if I thoroughly learned the physics of flying and the mechanics of airplanes, I’d be fine up in the air. I also want to know why planes crash. My hope is that I will glean helpful information from this as well. When Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared last March, presumably somewhere in the Indian Ocean, the whole world was frustrated with no answers to all the hows and whys. An entire plane and all the people onboard were here among us one day and then gone without a trace the next. For me, the not-knowing was the scariest part of it. It’s always a scary part of loss, and while trying to understand how and why might provide some sense of control, might take away some feeling of vulnerability, what brings peace—I try hard to remember—is faith that you are always in God’s hands.

Authors Jennifer Tomshack

Faith fear

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Homily themes

16 Dec 2012 - Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

"Fear not,” scripture tells us. “Have no anxiety at all.” Why not? “The Lord, your God, is in your midst”; “the Lord is near.” But how: “What should we do?” Answer: “Shout for joy,” of course, and “cry out with joy and gladness”—in a word: “Rejoice!” And pray: “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Act: Your kindness should be known to all.” Share your basic necessities, John the Baptist says to the despised tax collectors and soldiers, don’t give in to corruption. Serve one another: Loosening the thongs of sandals is a slave’s work but John is willing to do it because he knows “a mighty savior,” “one mightier than I is coming.”

Authors Joel Schorn

joy thanksgiving fear

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