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Saturday, October 6, 2007

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St. Bruno
Bl. Marie Rose Durocher


Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29
Psalm 69:33-37
Luke 10:17-24

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fearless

"Fear not, My people!" —Baruch 4:5

"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom should I fear?" (Ps 27:1) Jesus promises: "I have given you power to tread on snakes and scorpions and all the forces of the enemy, and nothing shall ever injure you" (Lk 10:19). "No weapon fashioned against you shall prevail; every tongue you shall prove false that launches an accusation against you. This is the lot of the servants of the Lord" (Is 54:17). The Lord repeatedly commands: "Fear not and do not stand in awe of what this people fears" (1 Pt 3:14).

Followers of Christ are distinguished by fearlessness. We are not afraid of anything (Mt 10:31), and not intimidated by our opponents in any situation. "Their opposition foreshadows downfall for them, but salvation" for us (Phil 1:28).

We overcome human fears by fear of the Lord. "He who fears the Lord is never alarmed, never afraid; for the Lord is his Hope" (Sir 34:14). We overcome human fears by faith in the Lord. "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust" (Lk 8:50). We overcome human fears by the love of the Lord. "Love has no room for fear; rather, perfect love casts out all fear" (1 Jn 4:18).

Our heavenly Father promises: "I am the Lord, your God, Who grasp your right hand; it is I Who say to you, 'Fear not, I will help you' " (Is 41:13).

Prayer:  Father, fill me with love and faith so there is no room in me for fear.

Promise:  "I offer You praise, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because what You have hidden from the learned and the clever You have revealed to the merest children." —Lk 10:21

Praise:  The parents of Bl. Marie Rose discerned and followed God's will in raising their family. One of their children was a priest. Their youngest, Marie Rose, is a Blessed of the Church.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Evangelization on audio AV 58-3 or video V-58.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 2007

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