In today’s Gospel, when Jesus raises the young man from the dead, the crowd’s first reaction is fear. Why fear? To understand this, we turn to the other readings of the day.
In the first reading, Paul reminds us that those who lead the Church must live according to the Gospel, not the ways of the world. But this challenge isn’t only for leaders. Just last week in Colossians 3, Paul gave us a clear picture of what discipleship looks like: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love.
The Psalmist today echoes that call: “I will persevere in the way of integrity…I will walk with blameless heart.” When we hear these words—or when we encounter someone truly living them—we recognize the gap between who we are and who Christ calls us to be. And that realization can be unsettling. Fear rises because we know change is needed.
Our first instinct is often resistance: “I like my routines, my habits, my comforts. I don’t want to let them go.” We cling more tightly to what is familiar, even if it keeps us from deeper life with God.
But here is the Good News: the Lord never stops reaching out. Patiently, He offers His love and His grace to free us from the ways of the world. Step by step, He invites us to trust Him more deeply, to let go, and to live each day in faith, hope, and love.
Living in Love with God 
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