Nothing to Fear

(a homily)

"Of whom shall we be afraid?" Even though this week we prepare to walk again the way to the cross, we have nothing to fear. Even though we face the truth that faithfulness to the Gospel brings upon us opposition from the powers, we ought not withhold the Word of Love. This Word has set us free, and it calls us to work for the freedom of others. We have something to say to those who seek to imprison the nations if we in our spirits are freed from their ways of oppression. Literally, there are people in this world in dark dungeons, and not so figuratively in prisons, be they penitentiaries, covert detention centers, ghettos, slums, hollers, and projects; or mansions, high-rise apartments, cubicles, and corporate boardrooms. The very philosophical foundations of our surrounding culture and political system seek to confine us by fear to our individual selves, our individual families and friends, and to make us blind to the just union that God seeks to bring forth to the nations in Jesus Christ, and through the body of Christ, the Church.

But let us remember, we have nothing to fear. We, in our baptisms, were placed in the grave. We have already tasted death (though, perhaps, its stench has been hidden from us). Having tasted death, we shall not be afraid of death any longer. Instead, this Holy Week we walk in the steps of Jesus to the Cross. We hear his teachings, witness his betrayal, see his agony. We can see these anytime we read the news or make an effort to observe and engage the world. This day, and throughout the week, too, we gather around the table; we feast with the company of the saints. We recognize that we must break open our perfumes and anoint the feet of Jesus, wash the feet of our brothers and sisters. We like Lazarus have been raised from the dead, only to watch the Lord of Life go to the cross to truly conquer death. With the cross there is resurrection; release from the dungeons and the mansions.

Let us become prepared in the worship of God, the fellowship at table, to walk in the way of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Such a walk leads to the cross, but we are guided by the Lord, our light and our salvation, so we shall not be afraid. Christ gives himself for us, and we ourselves for his cause, the Kingdom. At this table we taste death and we taste life, the life of the world.

(Isaiah 42:1-7; Psalm 27; John 12:1-11)