The Power of Fear

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus, the Crucified, the Risen One.

The central focus of this greeting is addressed to what and to whom we celebrate today: Easter. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life – yesterday, today and for all eternity. Today, in His resurrection, we celebrate the victory over the fear of death. In his dying, Jesus overcame death. There is no need for us to fear the fearful.

The idea of overcoming death in dying is not easy.

In medicine, it might be easier as there are antidotes that can reduce the effects, for example, of a poisonous substance.

What Does Fear Do?

The power of fear is often underestimated. Fear is a negative emotion that suppresses our creative energy for having a fulfilling and successful life. Fear paralyzes many people. The fear of that which is temporary, transitory, the fear of failure, and ultimately the fear of our last enemy, death can be crippling. The fear of what might come, for example, paralyzes the courage and determination of the disciples to bear witness to their faith in Jesus - they run away and leave him alone.

Do Not Be Afraid

Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Jesus, cannot deal with his guilt so he hangs himself. In the courtyard of the high priest Caiaphas, Peter denies his friend Jesus three times and then weeps bitterly because of it. The fear of losing power, the fear of losing control over people, prompts Pilate and the Jewish religious elite to pass down the brutal death sentence on Jesus. God sent his Son into the world to transform this fear into trust. Since the beginning of time, since the creation of the world, God has been seeking a relationship with what he himself created. And God saw everything he had made, and behold, it was very good.
Do not be afraid - Do not fear.

The Words Of The Prophets

In the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we can read in chapter 43, verse 1, "But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine!" The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and Jacob leads his beloved people by way of Moses into freedom, into the promised land. Through Moses, we hear God's promise: Have faith, I will free you from the slave house of fear so that you can believe in me, the God of history, free and full of joy."

The Love Of God

“For stern as death is love.” These poetic words are found in the “Song of Songs” (8:6). And that love is the love of God. A love that knows no boundaries and is unconditional. God’s divine word, never returns empty-handed, it accomplishes His will and His purpose. And this living word of God fearlessly takes on the form of a human being. The great mystery of the Incarnation of God in Jesus Christ, which we celebrate at Christmas.

God, the Incarnate, with all of his passion for humanity, lovingly enters the war against fear and terror without violence. His passion for salvation leads him to cleanse the temple by driving out the merchants, announcing that “my house shall be a house of prayer” (Mt. 21: 13). His passion for the well-being of humanity leads him to take on the challenges of the Pharisees by responding to the tricky questions about whether it is permissible to pay taxes, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God”. (Mt. 22:21)

Dear Friends in Christ

Our existential fears are very real. There are many people who live on the margin of society, who are financially, culturally, and spiritually challenged. People have had to flee their homes, their homelands - from the bombs of selfishness, from those who seek to preserve their power. It becomes a dark and lonely world when a person is no longer able to engage in dialogue. It becomes dangerous, even inhumane, when a person no longer desires to seek relationships with others.

As sisters and brothers in Christ, we share a responsibility for and with each other. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of this, without compromise. Knowing how dangerous it will be for him, he provokes. Yet he continues journeying this path, one which makes him a blasphemer. On this path, on the Mount of Transfiguration, he reveals to his friends, Peter, James and John the great calling of humankind. In the presence of Moses, the faithful messenger of God's commandments, and Elijah, the prophet of prophets of the Old Covenant, he transforms into radiant light full of life and abundance. This extraordinary experience frightens his disciples and throws them to the ground. Jesus touches them, and says, "Get up, don't be afraid."The angel said to the women at the tomb: "Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay!" The women go quickly and joyfully proclaim to the disciples, the friends of Jesus, the unbelievable, the unimaginable - Jesus lives, he lives and is risen! And on this path, the crucified one himself comes back to them, greets them, and says, "Do not be afraid!" In other words, "Have trust in me." The love of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob confirms all the wonders that I have done among you!

He Is Truly Risen! Hallelujah!

Dear friends in Christ Jesus, the Crucified and the Risen One,

If we have the courage to face fear, then we have the courage to change something. We no longer need violence to fight for our place in life. Jesus has won this battle against the fear of existence for and with us. Today on Easter Sunday, let us proclaim to the whole world with joy and confidence that Jesus has risen from the dead, that Jesus lives!

I invite you to call out with a double "Hallelujah". Jesus has risen! Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
He has truly risen, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

Amen.