Fear...or Courage?

02/07/25

There are many people these days trying to figure out where we fit. Some are afraid that days ahead will bring fearful things for them, or their loved ones. Some fear being deported; some fear for their safety, because they are not cishet white men; some fear for their mental health. These are only a few things people are afraid of these days.

With so much vitriol and hatred being aimed at so many of our beloved fellow humans, I think it is always helpful to be reminded that, while these hate-filled voices speak loudly, and the danger is real, there are many more people on your side than you might expect. Particularly when we get to know one another, and share our stories with one another, we cannot help but see each other as fellow human beings, and beloved children of God.

Some of our fellow “Christians,” however, are making distinctions between people based on arbitrary characteristics, like sexual orientation, gender identity, skin pigmentation, immigrant status, religious affiliation, and many other qualities, and making judgments about the worthiness of others to have basic rights based on whether or not people fit into the category of “acceptable” in their eyes.

Jesus says some things about this. I think of the story of Jesus and the woman accused of adultery by the scribes and Pharisees (Jn 8:1-11), whom they wanted to stone as punishment. After initially ignoring them, as though their question was completely ridiculous, and not worthy of a response, Jesus makes a statement in her defense: “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (8:7). So often we tend to accuse others, and paint others as threatening, to hide our own faults, our own humanness, our own fear and hatred (of which we are often not fully aware). I suspect that many of our fellow siblings in Christ are doing this. They are working to distract anyone and everyone from their own brokenness and sinfulness, because they cannot bear to face it themselves. (This is called “denial.”)

Jesus also tells a story about some religious people who make a judgment about someone they see suffering, and they actively choose not to help that individual (Lk 10:25-37). They reject the idea that this person is a part of their community. Conversely, the foreigner, the religious outsider (from Samaria), has compassion for this person. The lawyer who initially asked Jesus the question then understood: the true neighbor was the person who showed mercy.

So often, we miss the point: we see ourselves as the ones who always have mercy, when really, we often turn a blind eye to our neighbors who are suffering all around us, because we are afraid of them (primarily because we have made assumptions instead of getting to know them). Jesus’ call is to reorient us, again and again, to the needs of our neighbors, the “least of these,” those who most need our help and compassion.

So how, then, do we show compassion? How do we advocate for the needs of our neighbors, many of whom are extremely afraid right now that their safety and rights are uncertain, and in danger of being eliminated?

Well, particularly if you are a person of privilege, and a person of faith, you have an obligation to speak up, and to advocate on behalf of those who are feeling afraid and unsafe. You have the tools at your fingertips, literally (particularly if your phone is within reach). You know what Christ calls you to do. Even if you are afraid, you are still called to speak up. Fear is really only energy, after all. The Spirit can (and does) transform that energy into courage—the courage you need to act. Be bold, my friends; be courageous, for Christ is with you.