Fear that holds us back

I think that this may well be a perennial challenge for us when we look at proclaiming or at least stating our faith beliefs. Often when we are asked with regards our faith we are reluctant to state anything. If you are like me the thing I have an issue with is when someone comes up to you and says "Do you believe in Jesus?". I really want to ask "what do you mean?" as a reply just to ensure that the person speaking is not making a false idol out of the use of the name "Jesus". At this time of year we state quite clearly "Christ is risen! Alleluia!" not "Jesus is risen". That is why we are Christians not Jesusians and we must be very careful with what we proclaim and how we proclaim or state our faith. This I believe leads quite often to fear, fear of being misunderstood or lumped in with others who proclaim voraciously but act as non-Christian as can be. Yet, the risen Christ states to the women on the day of resurrection "Do not be afraid" (Matt 28.10). How then can we understand the manner in which it is acceptable and not cringe-worthy to respond to this challenge of proclamation without fear but with confidence?

Do we like Peter get up and preach in such a manner on the street corner? (Acts 2). I think that it is more important for us today to look at the end of this particular chapter and not at what Peter is doing. We have not just been anointed with the Holy Spirit that led Peter out into the middle of the city but rather we are or should be living the life of a Christ follower. It is in the last verses of this chapter that our attention needs to focus (Acts 2.43-47). This is the community as it begins in terms of fellowship and worship. One of the things that we do not do quite so well is that described in verses 46-47 which for me is the crucial point as it concludes with "And day by day the Lord added new converts to their number". This is past Peter's speech it is the communal aspect that brings new converts. A communal life that is open to all and brings others into contact with the understanding through teaching and fellowship of what the Gospel means in our present day lives. We need to be expressing our faith and preaching the Gospel in the way we live our daily lives by exploring our faith together.

We do not walk alone when we walk with those who share bread (Com-panis - companions)

In moving forward we move together assisting each other much as the two disciples on the walk to Emmaus do. They are speaking together about their faith trying to understand so that when the risen Christ comes into their midst they offer the hospitality of the road joining together and accepting the other. So often in our faith journeys with each other we are prone to close ourselves of from those who look at the scriptures in a different manner to ourselves. We become judgemental in our outlook as we assure ourselves that we read and interpret in the tradition that is "right" without opening ourselves up to the mystery that is God. Who knows what is "right"?; certainly not me. The disciples are open to the ideas propounded by the other and do not dismiss them as being incorrect or wrong or not according to the way they have been taught. The hospitality of the way is an openness to the other so that we can weave our entangled lives together on a path that leads us all to God. It is a hospitality that reaches out to include those who are different from us so that we can discuss our journeys along the interweaving paths of God's graciousness.

Yet, we are afraid. We fear the vulnerability that comes with this type of open hospitality as we cower behind our doors and lives. We are unable to speak clearly of our faith as we suppose that we do not have the "fancy words" that modern society expects in our explanations. We have a fear that we will incorrectly express what God means in our lives and what the risen Christ is to us. We fear the ridicule that comes with disbelief. Most of this fear is a result of our fear that the borders of our neatly prescribed religious beliefs are going to be penetrated and overcome in the language of disbelief that society regales us with. Yet, in clinging so fast to the border we forget that only when these are flexible can we entertain each other in hospitality and generosity showing God's love and grace to the other.