Fear Not 220

"...they departed quickly from the tomb... with fear and great joy..." (Matthew 28:8) Beloved brethren, gathered here in this humble stone sanctuary, where the echoes of our voices mingle with the whispers of the saints, let us ponder these sacred words from the Gospel of Matthew. Imagine, if you will, the holy women—Mary Magdalene and the other Mary—rising before dawn, their hearts heavy with grief, approaching the tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ. And lo, they find the stone rolled away, an angel radiant as lightning proclaiming the resurrection! They depart not in calm assurance, but with fear and great joy intertwined, like vines in a sacred garden. Oh, how the Early Church Fathers illuminate this mystery for us! As compiled in the golden chain of the Catena Aurea, Saint John Chrysostom teaches that this 'fear' is no mere terror, but a holy awe, a trembling reverence before the divine power that has shattered death's chains. 'They feared,' he says, 'not as cowards, but as those who have beheld the glory of God, for the resurrection is a wonder beyond mortal comprehension.' Indeed, Chrysostom reminds us that such fear purifies the soul, drawing us closer to the Almighty, much like Moses quaked at the burning bush. Saint Jerome, that vigilant guardian of Scripture, adds depth: the 'great joy' springs from the fulfillment of prophecy, the victory over sin and death. 'They rejoiced greatly,' he expounds, 'for in the empty tomb they saw the promise of eternal life, a joy that overshadows all earthly sorrows.' And Hilary of Poitiers reflects profoundly: this mingled emotion mirrors the Christian life itself—fear of our own frailty mingled with joy in God's mercy. 'The women,' Hilary notes, 'hasten with fear, lest doubt assail them, yet with joy, for faith propels them to proclaim the good news.' Augustine, the great doctor, weaves it further: 'Fear and joy are sisters in the soul; fear humbles us, joy exalts us to God.' These patristic voices, echoing from the catacombs and councils, reveal the resurrection not as a distant tale, but a living reality. The women did not linger in paralysis; they ran! Their fear was not debilitating, but invigorating, propelling them to share the Gospel. Rabanus Maurus in the Catena observes: 'Fear tempers joy, lest it become presumption; joy tempers fear, lest it become despair.' Thus, the empty tomb becomes a school of virtue, teaching us to embrace the paradoxes of faith. Now, dear friends, let us connect this to our own lives in this vale of tears. How often do we, like those holy women, approach the 'tombs' of our existence—perhaps a shattered dream, a loved one's grave, or the sepulcher of our sins—only to encounter the risen Lord? In our daily toils, amidst persecutions or the quiet struggles of the heart, we too feel this blend: fear of the unknown, joy in God's promises. Think of the farmer sowing seeds in uncertain soil, fearing drought yet joyful in hope of harvest; or the mother in labor, trembling in pain yet exultant at new life. These are echoes of Easter morn! The Fathers urge us: do not suppress the fear, for it is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10); nor stifle the joy, for it is the strength of the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10). In our simple church, without the clamor of the world, we learn that true faith holds both, hastening us to witness. As Gregory the Great counsels: 'Let fear awaken vigilance, and joy inspire boldness.' In times of trial—be it famine, plague, or the tyrant's sword—remember the women: they fled the tomb not in defeat, but in mission, becoming the first apostles of the resurrection. So, my brothers and sisters, let us depart from this gathering with fear and great joy! Fear not the shadows of this age, but revere the God who conquers them. Rejoice in the empty tomb, for Christ is risen, and in Him, we too shall rise. Trust in God, O faithful ones—trust Him who turns mourning into dancing, fear into fortitude, and death into life everlasting. Go forth, proclaim this truth, and live it in your homes, your labors, your prayers. Amen. #FearNot220 #FearNotUNPLUGGED #171of220 #Catholic