A Jesuit Catholic University
in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1878

[214] 1 John 4:11-18 Ps 72:1-2, 10, 12-13 Mark 6:45-52

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

Love and Fear – these two seem to be the themes of today’s readings. While I could easily just talk about love, today I feel compelled to address the harder question, how is fear the opposite of love? If some of you are like me, you might be a little taken aback by St. Paul’s, “one who fears is not yet perfect in love.” We all fear something. Fear is a common emotion innate to every single animal on the face of this earth (I’m afraid of snakes, my dog is afraid of a vacuum cleaner, etc.) so how can this be considered so crass that it is the opposite of love and therefore God?

In my personal understanding, I do not believe St. Paul is stating that the emotion itself is the opposite of love. In today’s gospel, we hear of the apostles terrified of a storm. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus himself sweated blood when he was praying in fear about his upcoming crucifixion. The emotion of fear is human. What I think St. Paul is getting at is that crippling fear, fear that leads us to inaction, is the opposite of love. Love is action. It physically connects us with both others and God. As St. Paul states, “love is brought to perfection in us… love is brought to perfection among us.” Love is not letting fears keep us stagnant and isolated. Love addresses the emotion of fear but does not give into it, even when our life is on the line. While Jesus did fear the crucifixion, he did not let it cripple him from performing the ultimate act of love.
 
So as we go about our days today, let us take some time to address those main fears that hinder us from ACTING with love. Maybe you’re afraid of being insulted. Maybe you’re afraid of offending someone. Maybe you’re afraid that you will be hurt – socially, emotionally, or maybe even physically. Maybe if we take today to address and pray about our fears, maybe we will be able to recognize and overcome them the next time they arise. Maybe we can learn to live into a more perfect love.