Mary invited the children: “Do not be afraid…”

Nothing about the human existence is excluded from the Bible— including the issues of fear and trust. These key words, fear and trust, determine the difference between simple “existence” and “living fully.” The Bible, which records more than 365 passages referring to the invitation “not to fear”, seems to be aware of this.

Different kinds of fear

Sarah and Abraham hosting three angels; photo: the Providence Lithograph CompanyThe Holy Scriptures recognize two kinds of fear. One fortifies, and is what the Bible calls the “fear of Adonai”, the principle of wisdom (cf. Proverbs 1:7). The second is a spirit of fear, which consumes, grips, paralyzes and disables. We’ve all experienced it, at least once. We can make bad choices because we have matured in fear; or we can prefer, intentionally, not to choose because we are blocked by fear of the unknown, uncertainty, failure, what others may think of us, etc. And most of us want “not to fear” in order to truly live and not just exist, to be free to love and to be loved (see 1 John 4:18).

In the life of the believer, fear and trust coexist. What is relevant is the question: “What do we listen most to?” What inspires and directs our lives? Fear or trust? It is interesting to note, in this regard, that even our Fathers and Mothers in faith have experienced both fear and distrust, despite being chosen by God and willing to follow the voice of the Lord. See, for example, the figures of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the great legislator Moses, the biblical king par excellence, David (Psalm 56:10-11), Sara, Ruth, Rachel, Miriam the sister of Moses, Peter, or the Twelve Apostles...

Fear within the Holy Family

Even Joseph (Matthew 1:20) and Mary of Nazareth experience the feeling of fear. Immediately after the words of the angel Gabriel, the evangelist Luke reports that Mary “was very upset and wondered what it was like for a greeting like this” (Luke 1:29). Yes: on the one hand, the main protagonists of the History of Salvation are assailed by fear, but on the other hand, they know how to trust the Words of the Eternal One.

Initial fear at La Salette

Our Lady of La Salette; chalk drawing by Mrs. Roskos, of Marietta, GA

Something similar can be said of Maximin and Melanie in La Salette. When Melanie suddenly sees a globe of light right there where they had previously deposited their lunch bags, she calls to Maximin, agitated and intrigued. Both are caught by fear: Melanie drops her stick and Maximin tries to take it back, in case it is necessary to defend herself from that mysterious source of light.

Their fear leaves room for confidence when, after seeing within the globe of light the figure of a “Beautiful Lady”, sitting with her elbows resting on her knees and her face hidden between, they are listening to her who was saying following words: “Come near, my children, do not be afraid, I’m here to announce to you a great message.”

Fear and then a mission

The primary dynamic of this meeting follows the dynamic of the numerous encounters with the Lord recorded by the Bible. Often these are the encounters that, initially, generate fear in the one who experiences them. But with the initial fear there is always a divine word, capable of instilling confidence and opening up to unexpected horizons. Jesus of Nazareth, for example, heals Peter’s fear by not only encouraging him to “not to fear,” but also giving him a mission: “From now on you will be a fisherman of men” (Luke 5:10).

Similarly, at La Salette, the “Beautiful Lady” not only invites the two children to “not to fear” and to approach her to carry on their mutual meeting, but, once freed from the initial fear and having gained their trust, she entrusts to them a mission.

God does not demand faith without fear

Detail from the Glory Window, St. Peter’s Basicila, Vatican CityBoth the Son and the Mother, just like the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Jesus of Nazareth, do not demand a faith without fear from us. The God of our Fathers in Faith, the Son and the “Beautiful Lady of La Salette” have faith in us before we believe in them. They believe in us, together with our fears and our abilities. They give us confidence.

They want to forge an alliance with us. And when we become aware of this, we are healed of our fears, because we begin to trust the Spirit that is within us (cf. Matthew 10:19-20). We’re transformed. And this trust in the Spirit and our transformation open up for us surprising horizons, because they allow us to open ourselves to the voice of the Lord that entrusts to us a mission.

Questions for reflection:

•  What areas of your life are a source of the fear?
•  What kind of fears are paralyzing you and are making you wanting to confess them to God having in mind that trust in him can make you free?