Brian’s Reflection: Tuesday, September 25, 2007


Our tragedy is a general and universal physical fear so long sustained
by now that we can even bear it... the basest of all things is to be afraid.

- William Faulkner, American, Nobel Laureate in Literature,
Born on this day, 1897


Faulkner thought that to be afraid is the the basest of all things. He may be correct. Jesus thought so, apparently, though I’m not sure that Jesus thought it was “base” - unless by “base” Faulkner meant “debasing of our humanity”. If he did, I agree. FDR understood it, from his famous words on fear.

In Christian mythology, angels told people not to be afraid. (We will be celebrating the Feast of St. Michael & All Angels on Sunday. I was baptized on that Feast - though the Presbyterians didn’t know it was that day I am sure! “Michael” in Hebrew means “Who is like God?” However punily, I’m trying!). Jesus often told people not to be afraid, both before and after his being raised from the dead. Tyrants rule through fear. Faulkner is right - fear can kill, on many levels.

It is not Sin and Death that are vanquished, in the Christian story, by the death and resurrection of Jesus. What is vanquished is the fear of the power of Sin and of Death. We will always sin, such is human nature. And we will die. The Gospel message is that Sin and Death do not have the power to debase our humanity. Jesus’ resurrection is the symbol of this truth. Christians look on Jesus and know that, following His path, His triumph over fear is ours too. However, we can’t live vicariously on Jesus. We must now live through the Christ Within.

“Be not afraid.” I hope to hear those words at every moment Fear reaches for me.

Brian+


Faulkner also said: “Facts and truth really don't have much to do with each other.” Yup.

And: “To live anywhere in the world today and be against equality because of race or color is like living in Alaska and being against snow.” Double Yup.