Sunday, April 13, 2008

Spirituality in a Nutshell: Cast Out Fear

(Another Sermon to Myself)

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. (I John 4:18)

You are a Christian. That means that, at least in principle, you have given away to God, and to his creation, all that you are and do and have. Now s/he who has already given everything away has nothing more to lose! And s/he who has nothing to lose, has nothing to fear. Nothing!

If you would simply learn that you really, truly, have absolutely nothing to lose no matter what, no matter how people treat you, no matter if you are late or are delayed, no matter if you are hungry or cold (for your body, too, you once consecrated to God, at your baptism, and it’s His to do with as He pleases, to feed it or not, to clothe it or not, to keep it alive or not) – if you would simply learn this, you would be free to love fully, unconditionally, holding nothing back since it is no longer yours anyway. If you would simply remember, in every situation, that you have nothing more to lose than you already supposedly offered to God when you became a Christian, and if you would stop trying to reclaim it, you could and would become a saint.

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2 comments:

Christopher D. Hall said...

Love these sermons to yourself!

You wrote: "If you would simply learn that you really, truly, have absolutely nothing to lose no matter what, no matter how people treat you, no matter if you are late or are delayed...." That's the trick, isn't it?

I struggle with this viz a viz supporting my family. If I were on my own, it would be different--was different--but having wife and little ones depending on my livelihood, it adds pressure.

Of course I know this it is an excuse. And of course I know that God provides for them just as He does for me. But this is why the Saints and Fathers extolled celibacy too, isn't it?

Peace!

Anastasia Theodoridis said...

Hi, Pr. Hall. Yup, I suppose that's ONE reason they extolled celibacy. It makes living the Christian life easier in many ways! That and the fact that Christ was celibate, so selibacy is considered another way of being like Him...

Hopefully, Mrs. Hall is right there with you when it comes to giving all to God, including the children, and hopefully the two of you trusting God together lessens the pressure some.