Fear Not 220

Beloved brethren, gathered in this humble stone sanctuary, where the echoes of our voices mingle with the whispers of saints long past, let us turn our hearts to the sacred words of the Evangelist Matthew: '...they departed quickly from the tomb... with fear and great joy...' (Matthew 28:8). Ah, what a profound mystery unfolds before us in this fleeting moment captured by the inspired pen! These holy women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, having beheld the empty tomb and heard the angel's proclamation of our Lord's Resurrection, hasten away not in idle wanderings, but with souls ablaze in a divine paradox—fear intertwined with great joy. Let us draw deeply from the wellsprings of our venerable Fathers, as compiled in the golden chain of the Catena Aurea. Saint Jerome, that tireless scholar of the Scriptures, teaches us that this 'fear' is no base terror of worldly peril, but a holy awe, a reverential trembling before the majesty of God who has conquered death. For as the Psalmist sings, 'Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling' (Psalm 2:11). Indeed, the women feared lest they prove unworthy of such a revelation, or that the fragility of human faith might falter in grasping the infinite. Yet, mingled with this fear is 'great joy'—not a fleeting emotion, but the exultant gladness born of hope fulfilled, the dawn breaking after the darkest night. Saint John Chrysostom, the golden-mouthed preacher of Antioch, expounds further: these women departed 'quickly,' their steps propelled by an urgent zeal to share the good news. Their fear did not paralyze, but rather purified their joy, making it all the more profound. For Chrysostom reminds us that true joy in Christ is ever accompanied by a godly fear, lest we grow complacent in our salvation. He likens it to a sailor who, having navigated stormy seas, beholds the safe harbor with both relief and awe at the tempests endured. So too, the Resurrection evokes in us a fear of our own sinfulness, yet joy in God's merciful triumph over it. And what of Hilary of Poitiers, that defender of orthodoxy against Arian shadows? He perceives in this verse a reflection of the soul's journey: the tomb represents the death of the old self, and the departure signifies our exodus from bondage to sin. The fear is that of one who recognizes the gravity of divine judgment, while the joy springs from the assurance of eternal life. Hilary urges us to emulate these women, blending awe with exultation, for in this union lies the fullness of faith. Augustine, the luminous bishop of Hippo, adds his profound insight: this mixture of emotions reveals the Resurrection's power to transform human frailty. The women feared because they were yet in the flesh, subject to doubts and trials; but their joy was great because the Spirit had kindled in them the fire of belief. As Augustine notes, 'Fear without joy hardens the heart, but joy without fear dissolves it; together, they perfect it.' Thus, the Fathers collectively illuminate how this verse encapsulates the Christian life—a pilgrimage marked by reverent fear of God's holiness and boundless joy in His redemptive love. Now, dear ones, let us bridge this ancient truth to the tapestry of our daily lives. In this era of persecutions and uncertainties, where emperors rage and heresies whisper, we too depart from our own 'tombs'—the graves of despair, loss, or sin. Perhaps you, brother, fear the loss of livelihood amid famine; or you, sister, tremble at the illness afflicting your child. Yet, like these women, let fear not overwhelm, but propel you toward the Risen Christ. In our simple gatherings here, without the clamor of the world, we find that holy fear sharpens our awareness of God's presence, while joy sustains us through trials. Consider the martyr who faces the arena with trembling knees yet a singing heart, or the penitent who weeps in contrition but rises in ecstatic forgiveness. This is our reality: fear reminds us of our dependence on God, joy assures us of His victory. Reflect deeply, my flock: in moments of personal resurrection—emerging from grief, addiction, or doubt—we experience this duality. The fear of backsliding humbles us, the joy of renewal emboldens us. As the Fathers teach, such emotions are not contradictions but complements, forging a faith resilient as the stones of this very church. Therefore, I beseech you, trust in the God who raised Christ from the dead! Let not fear dominate, but let it mingle with great joy, hastening your steps to proclaim His glory. Fear not the shadows of this world, for the Light has dawned. Embrace this divine paradox, and in trusting Him, find peace that surpasses understanding. Amen. #FearNot220 #FearNotUNPLUGGED #171of220 #Catholic