When you think of "shadow," do you think of:
 --something empty, unsubstantial, which cannot be grasped;
 --something unavoidable, inescapable;
 --the beginning of night;
 --something dark, gloomy, fearful, terrifying;
 -- protection from the heat of the sun?
 

When you think of "light," do you think of:
--sun, moon, stars, lamps;
--vision, guidance, safety, security;
--color, joy;
 --blinding glare, dazzling brilliance, brightness;
 --sunglasses?
 

When you think of "wind," do you think of:
--a destructive cyclone, hurricane, tornado;
 --sailboat, windmill;
--cooling breeze, fan, air conditioner?
 

When you think of "fire," do you think of:
--cooking, baking;
--a blazing forest or building;
-- the warmth and fascination of a campfire?
 

The world is full of mysterious, ambiguous forces. They can bring peace and joy or disaster and fear.

Children are not born timid and fearful but curious and bold. Their initial trust and optimism can be encouraged or crushed. They take their cue from the adults around them. We convey our attitudes by subtle gestures, facial expressions, tones of voice, often without thinking of the lasting impressions we make.

God made the world to be our home and He wants us to feel at home in it. He is present in all that He made-earth and seas, light and darkness-so all can give praise to Him. God wants us to be aware of His presence and feel secure.
 

Jesus had that comforting sense of His Father's presence:
 

"That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and how you are to clothe it. Surely life means more than food, and the body more than clothing! Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they are? Can any of you, for all his worrying, add one single cubit to his span of life? And why worry about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you men of little faith? So do not worry; do not say, 'What are we to eat? What are we to drink? How are we to be clothed?' It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all" (Matthew 6:25-32).
 

Because He had such a deep sense of security, Jesus could take great risks. He befriended tax-collectors and prostitutes, lepers and other social outcasts, confident that He could do good for them. Jesus denounced hypocrisy and injustice, even though it led to plots against His life. He acted on His own advice to others: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows" (Matthew 10:28-31).

Jesus radiated peace and calm even under attack. When people try to cast Him down a cliff, He simply walks away. When the soldiers come to arrest Him, He tells them to let His followers go. When accused before Pilate, He does not speak in His own defense.
 

Mark in his gospel tells us that Jesus was afraid in the garden of Gethsemane. A sudden fear came over him, and great distress. And he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here, and keep awake. " And going on a little further he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, this hour might pass him by. "Abba (Father)!" he said, "Everything is possible for you. Take this cup away from me. But let it be as you, not I, would have it" (Mark 14:34-36).
 

Jesus did not merely feign fear. It was real. Luke adds the detail that In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood (Luke 22:44).

Jesus felt fear like all of us. But He did not let His fear master Him. He mastered it. His love and trust in His Father enabled Him to control His fear.

Jesus is a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower (John 1:5).

Jesus sent His Spirit to the Apostles, to give them courage. He sends that same Holy Spirit to us. He wants us to share His Spirit of confidence and trust with those we love.

What is your basic attitude to the world?

--It is frightening, fearful, full of dangers.
--It is pleasant, safe, secure.
--It is a mixture of good and bad, but the evil forces are stronger today.
-- It is a mixture of good and bad, but the forces of good are really stronger now,               thanks to Jesus, His Spirit, and His Church.
 

God, sometimes I am frightened for myself and those I love. Then I remember You and Your presence and love. Help me to find You everywhere and to share my discovery, so that we all can thank and praise You, through Jesus Christ our Lord.