Joy and Fear

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Happy Easter Monday! I hope your Easter was filled with blessings. For the next fifty days, our first reading will be from Acts of the Apostles. Today we hear part of Peter's amazing speech at Pentecost. Peter tells the people that David's tomb is occupied, but Jesus' tomb is empty. Alleluia!

This week, all of the Gospel readings will be post-resurrection accounts from one of the Gospels. Today it is from Matthew 28. "Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples."

This seems a paradox, doesn't it? Can fear and joy coexist? Apparently so. And the women were not just joyful, but overjoyed. I believe we can be both at the same time as well. It works like this: we're unsure of the future, causing fear. Yet we know that God is in control, and that his will can be accomplished, despite our fears, causing great joy. If you're struggling with fear, let joy come in! Soon you'll find that the joy of Jesus will help you overcome your fears.

Father, you know how uncertainty leads us to fear. Fill us with the joy of the risen Jesus, that our fears will be conquered by joy. Amen.

Today's Readings

3 comments

  • Carl: April 21, 2022

    Hi Fred,

    I didn’t get to listen in today, so I don’t know what book Gus mentioned. However, I have been doing “Bible in a Year” with Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension Press) and am finding it amazing! I have his podcast, but try to follow on YouTube as I can then see what he is reading (instead of buying yet another Bible).

    It’s free, so why not!

  • Fred Halazon: April 18, 2022

    I’m looking for a book you discussed today on the show; how to read the Bible. I believe it was authored by a priest?
    Thank you,
    Fred

  • Nancy McFarland: April 18, 2022

    Happy Easter Gus! I always enjoy & receive so much strength& encourage ment from your reflections. Fear is such a huge part of what most people including me are dealing with in our world. So your prayer “fill us with the joy of the risen Jesus, that our fears will be conquered by joy Amen” comforted me & brought me joy.

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