TAKOT KA BA?

The world was silent that Saturday. It was a day of mourning because Jesus died yesterday then was laid on the tomb.

But the deafening silence won’t last long as a great earthquake breaks it (Matthew 28:2).

Then the people experience two types of FEAR.

The first type of FEAR was for those who did not believe in Him. This FEAR struck those who were guilty. The "guards were shaken with fear of him & became like dead men” (Matthew 28:4). This type of FEAR kills. Not necessarily the physical one but spiritual death. This is why the guards "became like dead men”.

Don’t go for this kind of FEAR. You should desire the second type of fear. This FEAR refers to a sense of respect, awe & submission to God. This fear gives one wisdom & understanding.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, & knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” - Proverbs 9:10

The women in today’s Gospel experience the second type of fear. The angel acknowledges their FEAR & consoles them with good news.

“DO NOT BE AFRAID! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come & see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, & he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.” - Matthew 28:5-7

The angel tells them not to be afraid. So they followed in obedience & "went away quickly from the tomb, FEARFUL yet overjoyed". (Matthew 28:8)

They meet Jesus & guess what the the Lord says to them?

“Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."(Matthew 28:10)

The Lord greets in the same way as the angel. DO NOT BE AFRAID.

We now live in fearful times. Fear is a natural human reaction to what our world is experiencing.

You have a choice on what type of fear to adopt. Will you choose the fear of the guards at the tomb that makes you panic, work & dead?

Or will you choose the fear that the women who visited the tomb experienced? The fear that makes one overjoyed & hopeful. This fear gives life. This fear puts complete trust in God.

As you prepare for the Easter Vigil tonight, let’s also cast out the fears that make us worry. Let us appreciate the fear that fills us with hope.

We are fearful but hopeful because Jesus will always be VICTORIOUS!

Have a blessed Holy Saturday! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com