Chapter Chaplain's Homily Reflection - DO NOT BE AFRAID

DO NOT BE AFRAID
The readings for this Sunday place before us the universal human struggle with fear, especially the fear experienced by those called to witness to God’s truth. We hear fear in the voice of Jeremiah. We hear the roots of fear in Paul’s teaching. We hear Jesus addressing fear in the Gospel.
In the first reading, Jeremiah suffers deeply because of his prophetic mission. The very people to whom he preached turned against him, plotting his downfall and punishing him for proclaiming God’s warning. He heard them whispering behind his back: “Let us denounce him.” He cried out, “Terror on every side!” He felt abandoned, misunderstood, and surrounded by enemies. This is not a prophet lacking faith — this is a prophet being honest.
Paul goes deeper. He reminds us that fear ultimately springs from sin, death, and separation from God — the wound of the Fall. Fear is not just emotional or psychological; it is spiritual. It is the echo of Eden, the moment humanity hid from God.
And in the Gospel, Jesus does not pretend the mission is easy. He tells His disciples plainly that they will face resistance, hostility, misunderstanding, and opposition as they proclaim the Kingdom. Yet in the same breath, He tells them, “Do not be afraid.” Jesus knows fear is real, but He refuses to let fear be final. He further assures them that their lives are precious to the Father, who watches over even the sparrows.
As we can see, fear is everywhere. And fear, if we allow it, shrinks our world. It paralyzes discipleship. It silences our witness. It makes us hide the very faith God wants us to proclaim. Yet into this very human reality, Jesus speaks three times: “Do not be afraid.” He knows how deeply fear grips the human heart. So we must ask: How is this possible?
What does Jesus mean by “Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul”? First, Jesus acknowledges that the things that cause fear truly exist. He is not saying we should not protect ourselves, value our lives, or resist harm.
What He is saying is this: though people can harm our bodies, insult us, reject us, or betray us, no one can touch our souls unless we hand them over. Our soul - our relationship with God - is untouchable by human hands. In other words, He is telling us that we are safe in the Father’s hands and should act from that truth, not from fear. And He gives three reasons: God sees everything. God values us infinitely. God holds our souls, not our persecutors. When Jesus says, “Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,” he means that God sees everything – our motives, injustice, and suffering. Because God sees perfectly, we do not have to live in fear of lies, threats, or human judgment.
Secondly, Jesus tells us, “You are worth more than many sparrows. We are precious in the eyes of God. If God watches over the smallest bird that falls from the sky, then your life, your struggles, your tears, and your sacrifices are infinitely more precious to Him. And that is why fear cannot define our life.
Thirdly, Jesus says, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot be kill the soul”. He is reminding us that the deepest part of who we are: our soul, our identity, our destiny, is held securely in God’s hands, not in the hands of those who oppose us. Human threats can wound, intimidate, or inconvenience us, but they cannot touch the eternal life God has placed within us. And because our destiny rests in Him alone, fear loses its power and faith finds its courage.
And as we celebrate Father’s Day, we remember that many fathers also live with hidden fears - fear of failure, fear of illness, fear of retirement, fear for their children, fear for their families. Today as we honor them, we acknowledge with gratitude their sacrifices, their quiet battles, and the love that has led them to risk so much for the people they care for.
Ultimately, the readings call us to steadfast trust and a more courageous response. The mission of the Gospel continues despite danger, and fear must never have the final say. The only fear that matters is losing our relationship with God. With faith in Him, we can face every challenge with courage, for the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world.

Fr. Imo

Chaplain 

Arrowhead Desert Valley Chapter