DO NOT FEAR — 365 TIMES

The sorrows for the appointed feast I will remove from you: they are a burden and a reproach to you. – Zephaniah 3:18

The words, “do not be afraid,” appeared 365 times in the Bible. It’s as if God is telling us not to fear each day of the year that comes with a heartbreak, a struggle, failed dreams, unsuccessful plans or loss of money, loved ones, health, etc.

       A long time ago, I had more than 365 days of sorrow. Each day that came would bring me tears and fears of the unknown. And when the night would come, I would lay my head on the pillow with more fear for the darkness and what it would bring. My problem seemed insurmountable, and there seemed to be no rainbow at the end of the storm.

       Today, as I look back on those dark days, I realize that my God was there for me and my family all throughout that time — even on those days when I didn’t want to talk to Him at all. He was faithful even if I was not. And when the time came, He moved slowly, through situations and events, peeling off the hurts and sorrows, and replacing them with joy and gladness.

       Really, we should not be afraid, for He will remove the burdens in our heart. Chelle Crisanto (ellehcmaria@yahoo.com)

Reflection: There is no such thing as a bad day. Just bad moments we choose to carry with us all day long. Take a deep breath and let them go. Have faith that everything will be OK. (Author Unknown)

Lord, I cast my fears and doubts on Your shoulders and accept Your love. And as I hold Your hand, bravery, strength, trust, love and faith shall flow from You to me. And all these will be my shield.

Read the Song of Songs and allow your imagination free reign with its imagery and I am sure you will grow in your understanding and experience of God’s love. He is a lover beyond anything we can imagine. Forget about the how-to-books and place your lives in the presence of God. Allow Him to show you the true meaning of love in all its fullness.

8 Hark! my lover — here he comes springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills. 9 My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Here he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattices. 10 My lover speaks; he says to me, “Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come! 11 For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. 12 The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the dove is heard in our land. 13 The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance. Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come! 14 O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff, let me see you, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and you are lovely.”

2 Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. 3 Sing to him a new song; pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness. (R) 11 But the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations. 12 Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. (R) 20 Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield, 21 for in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust. (R)

Mary places the perceived needs of her cousin, Elizabeth, before her own. There are times when we have to care for our own needs, but this should never mean that we neglect the needs of others. We should always seek to place others before ourselves, for if we do this, all our needs will be addressed — mainly through the generosity of others. There is more grace involved in sharing what we have with others, as this results in more happiness and gratitude.

39 Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

think:  We should always seek to place others before ourselves, for if we do this, all our needs will be addressed.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Wisdom 15-19

WALKING TABERNACLES

We are familiar with the Gospel today — the second joyful mystery of the Visitation, celebrated on May 31 every year. We can easily imagine the joyous encounter between these two women, one barren having now conceived, the other a virgin having conceived. We have an amazing God! The response of Mary’s kinswoman, Elizabeth, has been made into a prayer of the Rosary — Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

       To bear a child is a gift of God. Joy and delight are expressed when one has been found pregnant. It is a great achievement that is widely celebrated and a great gift — the gift of children. In these days of Advent, our hearts are also pregnant with hope and expectation as we await the coming of the Lord in our midst. Actually, at every Eucharist we encounter this joyous hope when receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. Our hearts can overflow together with the joyous praise of Mary and Elizabeth in meeting the Christ within. In a wonderful way, Elizabeth prophesies of the beautiful fulfillment of God’s promises — He has come to visit His people.

       The story should remind us of the great respect due to every person we encounter. As a spiritual director once said to me, “We are walking tabernacles.” How true and awesome this is! Just as we genuflect upon entering our churches in reverence to the reserved Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, so, too, must we respect the human person who has Jesus dwelling within him. May we come to a deeper awareness of Christ’s gift in this time of Advent and Christmas. St. Paul reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We must flee from all immorality and that which can distract us from this truth. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: Take time to reflect on the truth that we are “walking tabernacles.” What does this mean to you?

Lord, thank You for visiting us. May we be found worthy of Your presence dwelling within. Amen.