†Anastasios
Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and all Albania
Easter 2020
Fearlessness
“Be not afraid” (Matt. 28:10)
An essential gift that the Risen Lord bestowed upon us is noted in the hymn of the Paschal period: “When the doors were shut, Jesus came to the Disciples and gave them fearlessness and peace”. By the power that this fearlessness offers, the disciples, earlier discouraged by the “fear of the Jews”, became fearless Apostles “to all the nations”, witnesses to His Resurrection.
Fear is a dangerous counselor of the human person. It seeps into our thoughts and our volition in many different ways, sapping our endurance and creativity. Fear is provoked in the human being through various ways: war and conflicts, physical calamities, pandemics, such as the recent pandemic COVID-19 which has overwhelmed the whole of humanity. Fear, on the personal level, is provoked by animosities, injustices, various individual conflicts; and often by our weaknesses. Human fear primarily reaches its peak in front of death.
“Be not afraid” (Matt. 28:10) the Risen Christ exhorted the myrrh-bearing women; the salutation “Peace be with you” was addressed to His disciples, adding “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). Your life will be bolstered by the continual strength and power of the Holy Spirit within your existence. Henceforth, the Holy Spirit strengthens all of the disciples of Jesus Christ, connecting fearlessness with peace and love. And even more, the Lord guarantees that He will be with them all days “to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
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Christian fearlessness is organically connected with the fear of God, which is the “beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10) and means awe, respect, consciousness of His presence. This godly fear constitutes the vital source and strength of fearlessness. He who fears God, fears no one and nothing. The fearlessness to which we refer is not related to an abstract optimism, but it is inspired by faith in God and love expressed in works.
The consciousness of the continuous presence of God grants peaceful fearlessness in our everyday journey. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me” (Psalm 23:4) assures the Psalmist. And a poet of our generation adds “When You are by my side, I am enraptured by Your glory; nor can I be afraid of myself anymore”.
In these days, our thoughts and behaviors have been held captive by the Coronavirus. However, we should not allow this invisible enemy to beat us down. Staying at home, let us not be isolated. On the contrary, let us encourage one another with words, with simple actions, with an affectionate silence, with a cheerful disposition. Nevertheless, let us not confine ourselves in the invigoration of our own family. Let us expand our own interest; to our friends, to those who are nearby, and to those who are far away. It is urgent for us to participate in a struggle for freedom from the syndrome of fear, which uncontrollably spreads around us. God will not leave us. Something good will come out of this crisis. This unprecedented war will be won through a general, universal mobilization of solidary.
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Fearlessness in Christ reaches its peak in front of death. It is inspired by the conviction that “whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Rom. 14:8). “No one need fear death” exhorts Saint John Chrysostom, for “the Savior’s death has freed us from it”. The entire celebration of Pascha develops and reinforces this essential experience of our Church. The certitude of the overcoming of death offers a different perspective to daily life: “We know that we have passed over from death into life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 3:14). This is experience of countless human beings who throughout the centuries have lived the faith in Christ and love: “there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
A Blessed Pascha, my brothers and sisters! With the Resurrection inside us! Let our hearts become the “temple of the living God” (2 Cor. 6:16). To the shock and anxiety that this painful pandemic has brought, let us respond with the fearlessness granted by the Crucified and Risen Christ. A fearlessness suffused with peace and solidarity.
This year we shall not be able to transmit the Paschal light from candle to candle. Let us transmit from heart to heart the light of hope and the fearlessness in Christ. Christ is Risen!
