Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” –John 14:27
Jesus brings peace and never fear. Isn’t it strange, then, that religion has so often been a carrier of fear and anxiety for so many? Obviously, it’s not Jesus who’s producing the fear. Self-righteous people who speak in his name are the hosts for this infection. When I was a younger person, I remember episodes where I did wrong and knew it. In those times, I was convinced God would not love me anymore because I was too far from perfection, which is what God finds loveable and beautiful. Just imagine if that were true! God would not love most of Creation, most of human history, if perfection were all that could be loved. Thank God it’s not true. God loves us even in our brokenness and failure, even in our sinfulness. Is it possible to live beyond fear, in our journey with God? Can we stop treating God like a referee who’s making calls on every move we make? God is more like the friend who helps us to parallel park by standing on the curb: a little this way, that’s enough, OK you’re there.
Who or what has given you valuable guidance along the way? How do you share what you know?
While The Gospel at Home takes a break in the summer months, we’ll be drawing our weekly reflections from Exploring the Sunday Readings.
Image credit: © Bayard Presse – Grain de Soleil 128 – Illustration: Bruno Pilorget – 2001
