Overcoming Fear

Pope St. John Paul II began his papacy with what became his motto:  "Fear Not."   St. Marcellin often told the brothers to "Fear Nothing."  These admonitions do not come out of thin air; the are constant throughout the Scriptures.  Gabriel tells Mary not to fear; the angels tell the shepherds not to fear, and in today's Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples not to fear when he approaches them walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee.
Today, we remember St. Andre Bessette, "Brother Andre", a man of small stature, orphaned at 12, sickly,  unskilled in the eyes of the world, and plagued by his own timidity.  If anyone had reason to be afraid because of his self-perceived inadequacies, it was he.  Yet, his faith in God and his devotion to St. Joseph enabled him not only to overcome his fears, but also to be instrumental in thousands of healings and the building of the popular St. Joseph's Oratory atop Mount Royal in Montreal.  Forgetting self, and overcoming the real or imagined criticism of others, he was able to accept himself as he was, and put his trust in the God who had created him.  In order to follow his example, we might just ask ourselves, "If God has brought me safely thus far, will he abandon me now? St. Andre, help me to accept myself as I am and to trust in God's love and plan for me. Amen.
Bro. Rene