Be Not Afraid

A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday, February 1, 2026:
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Zephaniah
2.3; 3.12-13

​Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
who do his commands;
seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the Lord’s wrath.

For I will leave in the midst of you
a people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord --
the remnant of Israel;
they shall do no wrong and utter no lies,
nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths.
Then they will pasture and lie down,
and no one shall make them afraid.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

…and no one shall make them afraid.

What would that be like? To not be afraid?  I wouldn’t classify myself as a “scaredy cat.” I can do hard things. But I also have fears. I don’t go down dark allies at night. When I have to make a choice about an action I need to take, I am fearful of what people will think. I don’t like scary movies. My fears can range from the simple to the complex. I assume the same is for you. 

I was once given a book titled The Gift of Fear. What I vaguely recall is that it spoke of the idea that humans need fear to keep us alive, to keep us safe. Which in many ways makes sense. Early humans needed this instinct to avoid being eaten or killed by wild animals. Fear can cause you to act in a way that ensures you (and those you love) survive. 

The trick is to not be so overwhelmed by fear that you don’t act, or that you don’t over-react. Recognize the fear, acknowledge what’s causing it, but then consider how you will respond. Sometimes this takes seconds, but in other instances there is time. If you take a hike in the woods and come across a dangerous animal – bear, snake, serial killer – instant reaction. Run! But if you are being challenged to take a project in a different direction or work differently, fear of the unknown can creep in and be just as scary, but it is not immediately life-threatening. I don’t remember much else from the book but I do know that for me the antidote to being frozen by fear is the knowledge and trust that God walks with me in all circumstances and makes sure others walk with me also. As the prophet Zephaniah offers,  "no one shall make them afraid." 

Accompanying a group of young people to World Youth Day 2000 unlocked a whole host of fears. International travel, foreign country, different language, young people who hadn’t ever left Nova Scotia, let alone Canada, before. Who made me responsible for this – and why did I say yes?!? There were many moments on the pilgrimage that were scary. But also profoundly fruitful. Terrifying. Yet, in hindsight, filled with great joy. It was quite a roller coaster of emotions. 

But, ultimately, facing my fears in this experience became a key faith and ministry-making moment for me. Because I faced this adventure with others – who most definitely had fears of their own – we were able to walk with one another, help one another, and ultimately bring each other to an encounter with Christ that would ultimately change each of us in our own ways. The Christ who calls us to seek Him. The Christ who transforms our hearts and calls us to witness Him. The Christ who brings us refuge and wipes away all our fears. The Christ who invites us to be not afraid. 

Have no fear of entrusting yourselves to him! He will guide you, he will grant you the strength to follow him every day and in every situation.
 - Saint John Paul II at Tor Vergata, Rome addressing WYD 2000 pilgrims




Aurea Sadi

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