Delivered by Ariel from the Parish of Saint Albert the Great in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Romans 8: 31b-39; Rs psalm 109: 21-22.26-27.30-31; Luke 13: 31-35.

NO FEAR IN THE LORD

Our meditation today isentitled: No Fear in the Lord. A young man told his friends during a session offaith formation in the church, how he maintains his faith in the place where heworks. He is a devout and truly believer, but his friends who are not of thesame faith with him, do not show themselves as believers. Many like toblaspheme God. They do sinful acts such as spreading slander, acting rudely inwords and actions, cheating and unfairness to neighbours.

This young man holdsthe principle that the God he believes in and who accompanies him at all times,gives him a sense of security, strength, and confidence. He has no fearwhatsoever, even though his surroundings are in favor of a lifestyle that iscontrary to God. For him, there is no fear of living and being with God. Fellowemployees in the office who are abusive, tell lies, spread gossip or insults,and cheat, are the friends he meets every day. He does not feel strange eventhreatened by them. He deals with every one in fairness and friendship.

But there's not anyslightest chance for him to be influenced by them. He uses the power of God, sohe is able to maintain his faith and be able to also relate them in a balancedand normal way. This kind of experience is experienced also by many of us.These are all experiences in the real world. In the unreal world, such ascircumstances and reality beyond the reach of the human senses, often become adistraction. Ghost and other supernatural entities are believed to exist inevery culture.

Many of us who relyon the power and the holy name of God that accompanying us, not at all afraidof demons, ghosts and supernatural forces. We truly believe that God isstronger than all those powers. Only in the name of the Most Holy God, we areprotected, strengthened and saved. In addition, there are also deadly threats,such as physical violence, war, disease, famine and natural disasters. Forthose who give priority to the power of God in the guidance of their entirelives, they are not at all afraid or shaken in their lives. God determines thefate of their lives.

So the good news forus today is the one proclaimed by the two readings today. Saint Paul in hisletter to the Romans emphasizes that only the love of the Lord Jesus Christstrengthens, protects and saves us. There is no other power besides God thatcan separate and stop us. The same is true of the Gospel passage, which revealshow Jesus journeyed confidently into Jerusalem, where He was intended by God.The threat from Herod never scared him a single point or took a step back.

Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord, teach us to become people who are not afraid of anyone and anythingbut You. Hail Mary, full of grace ... In the name of the Father ...