Fear Not 220

Beloved brethren in Christ, gathered here in the shadow of the eternal, let us turn our hearts to the sacred words of the Psalmist: 'But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy.' (Psalm 68:3) Ah, what a divine summons this is! From the pulpit of antiquity, I, echoing the voices of our holy Fathers, bid you heed this call to jubilation. Consider the wisdom of the great Augustine, who in his Expositions on the Psalms teaches us that this gladness is no fleeting emotion, but the very fruit of righteousness rooted in God. The righteous, he says, are those who live not for the vanities of the world, but for the glory of the Almighty. They exult before God, for their joy springs from the well of divine grace, untainted by earthly sorrows. As the Catena Aurea compiles the golden chain of patristic insight—though chiefly on the Gospels— we see parallels in the Fathers' reflections on joy, such as Chrysostom's homilies, where he extols the exultation of the soul that beholds the Savior's victory over sin. In this Psalm, O faithful ones, David prophesies the triumph of God's people. The wicked perish like smoke before the wind, as the verse preceding declares, but the just? They dance in jubilation! Basil the Great, in his homilies, reminds us that true joy is the soul's response to God's deliverance, much like the Israelites' song after the Red Sea parted. It is a foretaste of heavenly bliss, where tears are wiped away, and exultation reigns eternal. Yet, how shall we attain this? Jerome, that vigilant translator and commentator, urges us to purity of heart. Let not the tempests of passion cloud your vision; instead, fix your gaze upon the Lord, who scatters His enemies and uplifts the humble. In these troubled times, as in the days of the early Church beset by persecutions, this joy is our armor. It is the jubilation of martyrs like Ignatius of Antioch, who went to the lions singing psalms of praise. My children, let this be no mere sentiment. Exult before God in your daily toils—in prayer, in charity, in the Eucharist where heaven touches earth. Be jubilant with joy, for Christ has risen, and in Him, we are made righteous. As Gregory of Nyssa teaches, our ascent to God is marked by ever-increasing delight, drawing us from the shadows into uncreated light. Therefore, rise up! Let your hearts overflow with this holy gladness. The world may rage, but the righteous shall rejoice forevermore. Amen. #FearNot220 #FearNotUNPLUGGED #198of220 #Catholic