One would think that a healing, whether physical or demonic, would be a great and amazing thing to bear witness to, a cause for celebration and joy. Yet, for the villagers who witnessed the healing of the demoniac in this weekend’s Gospel reading from Luke, they ask Jesus to go away. Once they figure out it was Him who healed, they want nothing to do with him. Indeed, “they were filled with great phobos”, that is fear. But why fear when the healing should be something good and joyful?

I wonder how often we might be struck with such fear or nervousness because of a change. We are often scared of change. Denying that it's actually happening or self-medicating ourselves to numb any feelings we might have with distractions. Fear can be such a strong emotion that leads to us becoming tense or despairing. But it can also be a good tool as fuel in order to get done or move through the reality that is confronting us. In many stories in the Gospel, it’s obvious that fear is what is driving any one of the particular characters. Peter is a prime example of this. Peter falls into the water because the fear of the moment overcomes his belief in Jesus Christ. He denies Jesus because he is afraid of the consequences. Yet, Peter becomes the first Christian preacher who on Pentecost declares the truth about God and Jesus Christ and our need for Him.

Fear, like any emotion, does not define who you are. When we are confronted with fear as an emotion that arises within us, we should take stock about what is truly happening. In our faith and spiritual life, change might lead us to feel fear but as believers in a God of peace and security, such fears should always be given back to Him, trusting that He will see us through. In the weeks and months ahead, I pray that you all at St. John’s will recognize fear as it comes and then turn to God, in prayer, in community, in Scripture, and remember how much God has done and see the faith, love, and courage you all have because of God to make Him more known in this community. God bless!

In Christ,

Fr. Zach