The Epiphany of the Lord [January 6, 2019] Matthew 2:1-12

The third question Archbishop Socrates Villegas asked me during my ordination was “Are you afraid enough? Just like the first two questions, this one is also counterintuitive. One of my favorite phrases in the Bible is “Do not be afraid!” In many occasions in the Scriptures, this statement does not simply convey encouragement, but also a life-changing mission. When Abram was getting old and he was childless, he doubted to enter the convent with the Lord who promised him descendants like the stars in heaven, God said, “do not fear!” (Gen 15) Then, Abraham became the father of all nations. When God called Jeremiah to prophesy to Judah, he found an excuse in his young age, but God said, “do not be afraid!” (Jer 1:8) Then, Jeremiah became one of the greatest prophets of Israel. When Joseph felt betrayed and yet in his mercy, planned to divorce Mary in secret, the angel said to him, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.” (Mat 1:20) Then, Joseph became the foster father of the Son of God. When Mary received the Good News from the angel Gabriel, she did not understand what was happening, Gabriel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luk. 1:30) Then, she became the Mother of God.

We need in the Church, the people who are not afraid to follow God’s call to love and to serve. We need priests who do not fear to proclaim the Gospel despite hardship, trials, and even threats to their lives. We need religious men and women who do not fret to serve the poor, the marginalized and the forgotten. We need the clergymen who dare to say no to the comfort of life, to fight off laziness, and to serve and to be served. We need lay men and women who are courageous in making their daily sacrifice for their families and in witnessing to Jesus Christ. We can learn also from the three Magi who traveled a thousand miles from the east, braved all dangers including the bandits and violent weathers, and challenged the power-hungry Herod, just to see the baby Jesus.

However, to have no fear does not mean recklessness. In the same Bible, we discover also that there is one fear that is needed and in fact, holy. This is the fear of the Lord (Job 28:28; Psalm 110:10). It is not the fear that flows from the fearsome and vengeful image of God. We are afraid because God will punish us and throw us to hell! No, it is a wrong image. We fear the Lord because we are afraid to offend someone who loves, someone who has loved us tremendously. We should be afraid that we lose God because of our sinful attachments. We must fear that we are separate from God who is the source of our life. The priests should be afraid to celebrate the Eucharist unworthily. The lay men and women must be afraid to approach the Eucharist and other sacraments in vain. The clergymen should be afraid to steal the money of the Church. The men of God must fear to deny the spiritual needs of the people. Again, the three Magi are our good model. They dared many challenges and defied Herod the great, but before the baby Jesus, they prostrated themselves and gave homage. It is the holy fear of God.

Deacon Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP