let go (of fear)

Those who are in great fear are so intent on their own passion that they pay little attention to the suffering of others

                               Thomas Aquinas

 

God is not found in the soul by adding anything but by a process of subtraction

                               Meister Eckhart

 

(both quotes from Matthew Fox’s “Christian Mystics – 365 Readings and Meditations)

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we see every day what fear looks like

we see it as it struts on balconies and holds rallies

we see it as it carries a gun into a McDonalds

we see it as it suppresses the vote

we see it as if abuses power

we see it as it desperately consumes, hoping that through sheer consumption

 

it can tame the hungry ghosts that lurk

 

fear is all consuming

it fills our brains with muttering, chattering voices

it fills our hearts to overflowing, until there is no room in the inn

for love

 

it fills our soul, slowly devouring

until we are withered

our original blessing depleted

and that original sin

the lust for power and wealth

ascendant

 

we live in a world of fear

we have a leader who nurtures fear

we have a nation that is near unto death

because of fear

 

fear is in the air

so thick we can no longer see

our brothers and sisters

we can no longer see the children in cages

or the black man, lying in his own blood on the street

or the hungry child in the home of poverty

or the frightened senior, cowering in isolation, COVID bound

 

all we can see is our own fear

 

which is perhaps why

God says over and over and over and over again

to those who notice God’s presence

 

be not afraid

To Abram, Joseph, Hagar and Moses

To Ruth and Samuel

and the people of God, Israel and Judah

 

when afflicted by threats from without

and evil leaders from within

 

to the disciples

who were slow learners

 

a drum roll of assurance

and a lesson

 

that we must let go of fear

to make room for love

 

“There is no fear in love.

But perfect love drives out fear,

because fear has to do with punishment.

The one who fears is not made perfect in love”  (I John 4:18)

 

when we are scared shitless

God says

“Be not afraid”

 

drop fear, grab hold of love

 

it only takes a little bit of fear to make us miserable people

who create misery

 

it only takes a little bit of love

it only takes a little bit of God (for God is Love)

to make us people

of love

 

people who embrace a new way of doing life

people who can see others

and the suffering of others

 

and can live

empathy

and compassion

and kindness

 

people who can overcome evil with good