In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples more than once, “Do not be afraid.” Fear and anxiety can paralyze our faith, rob us of peace, and keep us from responding to God’s love.
The first reading gives us a vivid example. Isaiah stands before the holiness of God and becomes painfully aware of his own sinfulness. His weakness overwhelms him until the Lord assures him that his sins have been forgiven. Freed by God’s mercy, Isaiah can finally respond, “Here I am…send me.”
Fear can also keep us from drawing close to the Lord. We may worry about what others will think if we take our faith more seriously, or we may hesitate to seek God’s forgiveness because we are ashamed of our sins.
Today’s readings remind us that God’s love is greater than our fears. He reaches out to us with mercy and invites us to trust Him. Let us not be afraid to take hold of His outstretched hand.
Living in Love with God 
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