1 John: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.
What John said is true. Many years ago, I lived in fear. I feared what others thought of me and my actions. It kept me from "perfect love" that "casts out fear" yet God, in His perfect love gently led me out of fear and into love.
Perfect love is what Jesus exemplified in his death and Resurrection. There is nothing to fear, in life and death. There is only God's perfect love for us.
We are officially in Easter Week and for the coming days, until Sunday, we are in the octave of Easter. If we were in Europe, today would be a bank holiday. I learned that when reading Paddington the Bear to my children when they were small.
The next fifty days are the fifty days of Easter until Pentecost when Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to descend upon his Apostles and departs to Heaven. In these coming days, we get immersed in the Acts of the Apostles so be prepared to be wowed by these Acts.
One of my church friends from Chicago was the one who shared that tidbit with me. At the time, he was a young father of three young girls and attended daily Mass. We exited the Church one weekday after Easter Sunday, and he said, "Isn't it great, now we get to hear the Acts of the Apostles?"
Truly what a blessing. If you don't have a church nearby, you can probably find a Bible. Dust it off and spend some time in the Acts. You will see the confusion and the fear the Apostles faced, and through Jesus, cast out all fear and led the way for us to follow.
"Where you lead, I will follow." Carole King
April 18
Matthew: As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen.
Mark: And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word,
Luke: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,
John: for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!”
Acts: So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Romans: Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.”
1 Corinthians: But some of you, thinking that I am not coming to you, have become arrogant.
2 Corinthians: because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
Galatians: It is good to be made much of for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you.
Ephesians: They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart.
Philippians: I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
Colossians: I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
1 Thessalonians: Therefore encourage one another with these words.
2 Timothy: The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter: And “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?”
1 John: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.
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