Day 5 – Secure

Rhu & Shandon Church Tower (JN)

 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16: 2, 5-8).

 When we say “I am afraid”, what we really mean is that there is fear in us. It is not a statement about the whole of us. We must listen to our fears but not let them take over. There is a place behind our anxieties where we are not afraid. It is our truest selves, known and secure in the love of God. This is where the disciples find Jesus in those first resurrection encounters. He says “Do not be afraid.”

(Extract from Dust & Glory by David Runcorn)

For Reflection

There has been much to fear these past months. Pray that our only fear be fear that is wise.

Remember in your prayers

Those who live in fear because of illness, war, homelessness and abandonment; those afraid of going to work because of the risk of illness.