I was up in San Francisco today filming parts of my old haunts while growing up…Nobby Clarke’s Mansion, Eureka Valley Playground, Most Holy Redeemer, Holy Name Church and USF. The one place we didn’t get to was Sacred Heart High School.
I remember my first day of high school at Sacred Heart…I was scared. I went from a class of 32 to a high school of 800+ guys, and I only knew a few in our freshman class. I was scared of seniors pushing me down the stairs…I was scared of not making friends…and I was scared of looking foolish.
While working in Youth Ministry, I would say that not a whole lot has changed for young people today. I know teenagers who are afraid of failing tests and those that are afraid of losing friends. I have known young people who are afraid of gangs and violence. Fear is pretty normal, so don’t feel ashamed if you feel it.
One of the things I took from today’s Gospel is that the early Christians knew about fear. Many, very many, were persecuted. Many thought the world might end any day. So Luke wanted them to remember Jesus’ words when he wrote his Gospel.
When you feel fear “stand erect and raise your hands because your redemption is at hand.” Where can you get this courage? Luke tells us to pray and be vigilant, which means we must carefully think about a Christian response before important decisions.
As we enter into this wonderful season of Advent, remember Luke’s confidence. He knew that disciplined Christians could stand proudly, face their fears and not be controlled by their fears. God might not remove everything that scares us, but God does give us the strength and courage to live with integrity. The courage (which is a Gift of the Holy Spirit) to live without surrendering to the “anxieties of daily life,” whether those anxieties come from tests, friends, family, gangs or coming out of a pandemic.
Jesus is coming again this holiday season to free us from the fears that can control us. Spend extra time in prayer…be more vigilant about the way we follow Jesus in our daily lives. If we do these things, we’ll know God is with us.
Happy Advent!
Jim
Readings at USCCB.org Living the Word resource First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm: 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
Second Reading: 1 Thesselonions 3:12—4:2
Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
