We all know the story of how sin and death entered into the world. Either being told as little children while we scanned the pictures of Eden, or understanding more as adults, we have all heard what happened so many years ago in the garden. We have probably all been in the same boat where we have anger for Adam and Eve and then immediately realize we sin time and time again. You don’t have to look very far to see that death and sin are having a field day in our world, but has death won?
In our second reading today we hear about how sin entered the world through one, but sin was also conquered by one. It’s this second truth that we all know in our mind, but the journey through our hearts to belief seems like a long and winding road filled with uncertainty and fear.
What if we, as Christians, actually believed with all our hearts that Jesus has won the battle? Would we be so preoccupied with the next thing that is happening in society? Would we be so worried about what will happen next? Would we have fear? There is a difference between healthy and unhealthy fear. Unhealthy fear seems to be the one that pushes us inside of the cavern of our insecurity and loneliness and leaves us there where we can despair. All alone, woe is me, there is no hope. Of course, we also know about healthy fear because we talk about a fear of God. This is a fear that inspires us to action. If we fear for the souls of those in our family, that fear inspires us to bring the good news to them.
In today’s world, I think we have become used to living with an unhealthy fear. We almost love it. It’s comfortable for us. It’s consistent. We know it is always there. But this is the anti-Gospel. Jesus reminds us that perfect love casts out all fear. Do we believe that? Now actually stop reading for 15 seconds, say come Holy Spirit, and ask yourself honestly if you believe it. Has that truth affected the way you interact with people on a regular basis? Has that truth inspired you to go outside of yourself and to serve and to love? Has that truth allowed you to look at the world as a vast landscape of potential, as opposed to a broken and worthless set of stairs that nobody could ever possibly climb?
Satan has lost the battle, death has lost its sting, sin has lost its power. If the world has forgotten this fact, then we are at least a little to blame. Let’s let love be our battle cry from here on out. The more that love dominates the heart, the less the heart experiences the inhuman trappings of sin and despair.
So let’s embrace fear, but let it be the fear that we don’t want to live without God, and we don’t want anyone else to experience that either. After all, the true saint does not find himself alone in heaven, he has brought his friends with him. God Bless!
Tommy Shultz is Director of Evangelization for the North Allegan Catholic Collaborative and the founder of Rodzinka Ministries. In these roles, he is committed to bringing all those he meets into a deeper relationship with Christ. Tommy has a heart and a flair for inspiring people to live their faith every day. He has worked in various youth ministry, adult ministry, and diocesan roles. He has been a featured speaker at retreats and events across the country. His mission and drive have been especially inspired by St. John Paul II’s teachings. Tommy is blessed to be able to learn from the numerous parishes he visits and pass that experience on in his presentations. With a degree in Theology from Franciscan University, Tommy hopes to use his knowledge to help all people understand the beauty of The Faith.
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