Mercy Word of the Week
The Mercy Word of the Week
As we progress through the Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis, University Ministry offers our community a "Mercy Word of the Week" to help us focus on the themes of mercy that are already so closely aligned to our mission and heritage as an institution sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy.
The first Monday of each month will bring a brief reflection on each of the University's Core Values as expressions of our Mercy charism. We hope these focused thoughts will lead to your own considered contemplation on mercy and its role in your life.
Fear: Lady Bird Johnson once stated, "Become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid." And what did Jesus have to say about fear?
In scripture statements by Jesus related to fear, are among the most common of all phrases. Just take a look and see…He says, "Be not Afraid, Fear not, Do not fear, only believe" and so much more. So did Jesus really know of our human condition in which fear asserts itself at every corner of our lives?
We hear about fear in the voice of a hero interviewed at an accident scene. The reporter asks, "But weren't you afraid…of the flames, the car wreck, the steep terrain?" The answer is always something similar: "No, I just did what anyone would do in the same situation. I didn't have time to be afraid."
We don't need to be in crisis to embrace this attitude of "fearing not." There are many non-life-or-death moments, such as facing a deadline, a daunting creative task, or a complex relationship—where we can put this approach into effect. We can tap into a focus so strong that fear no longer holds us back.
We can lose fear and learn from the experiences we face head-on by remembering Jesus' words, "Perfect love casts out fear."
Sr. Carol Mucha, RSM