The man who lost his wife is afraid of loneliness. The woman that just survived a heart attack does not want to look into the future with hope. The young boy that graduated from college is depressed because of momentary inability to secure a job. The 18-year-old girl is afraid of having to make decisions for herself. The newly ordained priest is worried about the future of the church, and anxious about the reactions of his congregation to his messages.
Be Motivated
Anxiety about future uncertainties is meant to be overcome. Rather than allowing it to paralyze us, we should perceive it as a motivation to work to meet up with the challenges. That fear paralyses, is evident in many instances during the journey of the Israelites towards the promised land, especially as recorded in Numbers 14:6-9, when the spies returned with discouraging report about the city of Canaan. If not for the intervention of Caleb and Joshua, the journey to Canaan would have been an aborted one.
The persecution by the Jews caused Paul to wonder whether to continue moving forward in his ministry. He had observed a certain pattern in his ministry. Usually when he comes to a place, people are full of excitement with regard to his message. But with the passage of time, opposition from some unbelieving Jews and gentiles would manifest. This happened during his first missionary journey in Galatia, beginning in Pisidian, Antioch, and Iconium. It continued in Lystra where he was stoned and left for death by some Jews, who pursued him from Iconium. Also, during his second missionary journey, he moved from Macedonia to Philippi, where he was beaten up and thrown into prison because he drove out demons from a slave girl. From there he travelled to Thessalonica. At Thessalonica, he had to flee in the night to Berea and then to Antioch, where he was mocked for speaking about the resurrection.
Oppositions
In today’s reading, Paul is in Corinth and has started experiencing some oppositions. He is lonely, afraid, and battling within himself. God gives him a vision in which Jesus speaks to him. Jesus said to Paul: “do not be afraid, keep on speaking,” Why? He is with him. More still, Paul is not to give up for the sake of those in need of the divine message. The Lord is saying the same to us today, do not stop moving forward. God’s promise of redemption is materialized in all its ramifications when we trust his ever-present support and when we do not allow the trials of life to discourage us from moving forward.
Move Forward
Reflecting on the life of Paul in the light of today’s gospel, it becomes pertinent why we should not be deterred by future uncertainties from moving forward. Though Paul had to suffer much, even death, his anguish has been turned into perfect heavenly joy. In order not to allow our trials to get us down, we need to hear from Jesus, (as Paul did). He has something positive to tell us about every difficult situation. The antidote for fear, discouragement, despair, and giving up is to hear from the Lord, who speaks to us through events, neighbors, friends, his words (the bible), his Spirit in us, etc. Let’s continue to pray for the gifts of the Spirit, which help us remain attentive to him.
Beautiful! I was encouraged by the reflection. Thank you Fr. John
Thanks alot dear Sr. Olisaemeka for your encouragement. I appreciate.