Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”

“It is I; do not be afraid!” (Matthew 14:27) Along with calming a storm (14:22-36) Jesus with these words confirms for the disciples that he has a special relation to God. “It is I!” is a reference to the way Yahweh (God) was identified in the Old Testament. In the context Jesus is not simply making a theological declaration but reassuring his terrified disciples in the midst of a storm. “I am,” he says effectively, “so close to God, so one with God, that you can have trust and not fear.”

Yet fear remains a reality of life. And it serves some good purposes: it tells us in a dangerous situation to be careful, act with prudence. The news reports about our cities make many of us fearful and more circumspect; the weather report helps us to be prepared with, shovels, flashlights, or fuel. There are plainly many things that arouse fear, both in nature and in our fellow human beings.

But what about fearing God, Christ? Should that be another fear? Reverence for God, awe of God's greatness and power, are understandable and appropriate. But should we be scared of God? How can that fit in with a Christian belief about God? Should we really believe that God delights in keeping us scared? The miracle stories of the New Testament again and again tell us, instead, that we honor God's greatness by trust, confidence. Because God is so great and powerful, we put all our trust in God. Because Jesus is one with God, the Son of God, we expect every good, above all peace and hope, from him.

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

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