Be Not Afraid
by: James Kiernan

Saturday Ramblins, Vol. 2, No. 10( May 15, 1999)

Do you ever wake up of a morning and think, "No, I don't want to get up, I'll spend the day here in bed where it is safe and comfortable"? I can only say for me, it is a regular feeling. But when you really think about it, should we not be eternally grateful that God has given us this new day? Do we question our faith and our understanding in our pursuit of happiness? I thank God that I question my faith. Is it not the responsibility of us all to be able to reflect and to think about our relationship with God?

As part of my job I travel a great deal. Many a kilometer is traveled in between towns where there is nothing to do but think about where I am going and what I am going to do when I get there. This question I ask myself not only in regards to the town I am approaching but also with regard to next year, next decade and beyond.

The answer I have found was presented to me one day at Mass. After the Gospel, the Priest was giving his sermon and one of the most interesting facts I have ever heard was spoken. The phrase "Be not afraid" appears in the Bible 365 times. Is it not therefore intended for us to be able to say this to ourselves every morning or everyday when we are required to blindly put our Faith in God and go forward? After all, if we are standing still with regards to our faith are we not going backwards? Should we not look forward to the next day with God, and have faith in the knowledge that God is with us.