Nothing to Fear
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B
We are living in an unprecedented time. The entire world, nations, people, and nature are agitated. Last weekend, an event called Astroworld Festival took place, during which 8 people died. I think that this event tells us something about how we think and what we value. I suspect that many people attended this festival after being tired of being cooped-up at home. They wanted to be entertained and distracted from the current state of their lives. They longed to be amused as a distraction from their fears and uncertainty. Yet, from what people who were there shared: people were so caught up in the event and so distracted that they did not see what was going on around them: people were suffocating, trampled, and dying.
I shared about this event because, whenever we are presented with some kind of trial or difficulty in our lives, we are often tempted to escape it through entertainment, pleasure, or some other kind of sin and distraction. Rather than turning to God, we turn to something empty: a Netflix binge, excessive eating, drugs, alcohol, pornography, and the strong emotions evoked during a festival. In the process, we become blind and numb not only to God, but also to the needs of others around us.
Clearly, we are passing through a difficult time of trial. Rather than looking for an escape in entertainment, pleasure, and a desperate grasp at “normalcy,” I would like to invite you to seek help and consolation in God, but specifically in the intercession and presence of Our Lady, who promises Her protection and care for those who love and entrust themselves to Her. When she appeared to Juan Diego in December of 1531, the Blessed Mother said: “Hear me and understand well, my little son, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear sickness, nor any other illness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish?”
In God we find everything that we need to be happy and at peace. Let us place ourselves in Mary’s arms and under Her mantle because there, under Her care and protection, we have nothing to fear.
Yours in Christ,
Father Arthur
Readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Lectionary 158
Tags: #arturmarat, #frarthurmarat, #nothingtofear, #olw, #olwparish, #reflection
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