Holy Father John Paul II, Pope; The Holy Wonderworker and Equal-to-the-Apostles Abercius, Bishop of Hieropolis; Holy Seven Youths of Ephesus.
Colossians 4:2-9; Luke 9:49-56.
Read Colossians 4:2-9
Catherine Doherty writes this in her letters, “Doubts, Loneliness, Rejection” (Cf “Grace in Every Season” page 229):
Fear was made to be overcome. Because we are afraid of so many things, most of the time fear holds us tight. We have a fear of involvement, a fear of people, a fear of ourselves, and an endless sea of doubts about our security, our identity, and on and on. But fear is made to be overcome, because once fear is overcome, host of its attendants disappear.
How can we overcome fear? First and foremost, by prayer. Fear is overcome by courage too. Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the overcoming of it. We will be faced with the same thing all over again and under a new guise.
In today’s letter of St Paul to the Colossians, he says, “devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray for us as well….” He then goes on to describe what good conduct looks like and exhorts the faithful to welcome certain friends and servants of the Lord that will speak on his behalf. Why? Because he is in prison. Why is he in prison? Because he declares the mystery of Christ. What is the mystery of Christ he proclaims, “(that) Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, (and that) he was buried, (and that) he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. … Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.” (1 Cor. 15:3-5; 8)
As Jesus called his disciples to follow him, described as the ‘carrying of the cross’ so to Paul tells these early Christians to imitate him. (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1) So too, we are all called to do likewise.
The practical application of faith in the mysteries of Christ is revealed in Catherine Doherty’s quote. Faith through an alert and attentive life made concrete in sincere prayer dispels all doubts, loneliness, rejection & fears. It is the very foundation that St Paul knows as his foundation upon which he rests secure through all trials and tribulations. St Paul is at ease with proclaiming the good news of Christ before the tribunal in the courts; in prison, not knowing if he will be alive the next day; of before the masses who come to hear him; or to his dear disciples who have come to love him. Interiorly, what he lives inside, is all the same. This is the fruit of a mature faith. This is the “pearl of great price.” This is the “taste of the goodness of the Lord” that when once tasted, it becomes all that one desires in this time of life that God has given. It is also, living in God’s Kingdom, here and now, and crowned completely in eternity. Amen!