Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 23, 2002)

Suggested Emphasis from the book of the Gospel of Matthew
"Do not fear those who deprive the body of life but cannot destroy the soul."

Salesian Perspectives
"Fear, dread, fright, alarm, panic, terror, trepidation mean painful agitation in the presence of or anticipation of danger. Fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually the loss of courage; dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety; fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear; alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger; panic implies unreasoning and overwhelming fear causing hysterical activity; terror implies the most extreme degree of fear; trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling and hesitation." (Webster's Dictionary)

As with so many other emotions, fear - as well as its related feelings - is a part of life. Who of us has never been afraid, alarmed or anxious? Who of us has control over the things, people or situations that may cause us to fear?

While we may be unable to avoid fear, we do have a choice as to how to deal with it. Francis de Sales observed: "St. Peter, seeing that the storm was raging, was afraid; and as soon as he was afraid, he began to sink and to drown, so he called out: 'Lord, save me.' And Our Lord caught hold of his hand and said to him: 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' Look at this holy apostle; he walks dry foot on the water, the waves and the winds could not make him sink; but fear of the wind and the waves will make him perish unless his mater saves him. Fear is a greater evil than evil itself. Oh you of little faith, what do you fear? No, do not be afraid; you are walking on the sea, surrounded by wind and water, but you are with Jesus: so what is there to fear? But if terror seizes you, cry out loudly: O Lord, save me. He will stretch forth his hand towards you; clasp it tightly and go joyfully on your way." (Stopp, Selected Letters, page 125)

The secret to dealing with fear is to be patient, to be self-possessed, that is, to be centered. Francis de Sales wrote: "By your patience you will win your souls. It is our great happiness to possess our own souls, and the more perfect our patience the more completely do we possess our souls." (Introduction, Part III, Chapter 3) Regardless of the intensity of the fear that we may experience, we cannot be ultimately overwhelmed or defeated so long as we do not lose possession of our souls.

"In short, don't philosophize about your trouble, don't argue with it, just go straight on, quire simply. God would not allow you to be lost while you live according to your resolutions so as not to lose him. If the whole world turns topsy-turvy, if all around is darkness and smoke and din, God is still with us." (Stopp, Selected Letters, page 125)

Fear is a part of life. It is a powerful and troubling affect that can have a profound effect upon us. However, no matter how formidable or frequent, fear cannot destroy the soul...unless we choose to allow it.

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is Executive Director of the
De Sales Spirituality Center in Washington, DC