Scripture reflection for the readings of Sunday, January 29, 2006. How many of us have experienced anxiety in the past year? I would imagine that many of us would say yes. Some of us would have experienced slight fear, uneasiness, or nervousness . Others may have experienced such a strong anxiety to have chest pain, shortness of breath, or even to faint. Some people suffer from mental and physical conditions that cause anxiety attacks, but for the rest of us, we may be able to significantly reduce our anxiety through our faith.
In Deuteronomy, Moses tells us that God spoke to him and told him that He was going to bring a prophet that would speak with authority, "...and will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him.’ (DT 18:15-20). Of course, there were many prophets since Moses, but none fulfilled God's promise as Jesus did. In Mark, we see Jesus speaking with authority at the Synagogue. He could speak with authority because he was speaking as someone who personally knew the intense love of God, who completely understood the truth he spoke about, and who lived His truth. There was complete integrity. He walked the talk. He would speak about the kingdom of God been near and defeating the forces of evil. He would then cast out demons, he would command them to leave. He did this with the authority and intensity of someone who knew full well that God and love had power over evil. In His words and actions, Jesus lived the truth of God and exercised God's dominion over evil. He did not admonish, reprimand, censure, or scold the spirits-- he rebuked them. To rebuke is the harshest and most intense expression of disapproval. Jesus wants to cast out the anxiety and chaos in our life, let's ask Him to do so, and let's do it with confidence and authority.
We believe that the spirit of Jesus is within us. If through prayer and sacraments we keep focused on pleasing Jesus in everything we say, think, or do; if we constantly look for ways to live our faith through the blessings and opportunities of life, we can then conquer anxiety. Anxiety is a "vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some (usually ill-defined) misfortune." As long as we have Jesus in our heart, and are living His truth, no event in life can destroy us.
We have the spirit of one who can command demons and be victorious over death. However, we must stay focused on Him. "Brothers and sisters: I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided." (1 Cor 7:32-35) We don't have to be unmarried to give God our undivided love and attention.
St. Terese understood this when she said, "Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things pass. God never changes. Patience achieves all it strives for. Whoever has God lacks nothing, God alone suffices. " Saint Teresa of Avila
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St. Teresa's bookmark is one of my favorite quotes. The most effective way I have learned to deal with anxiety is to attend daily Mass and to adore Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration as often as possible by making a Holy Hour, as Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen did. Nothing else is more relaxing to the soul than to spend time with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Thank you for this post, Hector.
God bless you,
Posted by: Jean | January 29, 2006 at 12:47 AM
1 Pet 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Posted by: Lorna | January 29, 2006 at 09:03 AM
Amen! Everyting passes, only God is forever. I'll remember that.
Posted by: patti | January 29, 2006 at 06:32 PM
I prefectly agree with St. Teresa of Avila.I know how is to lack the presence of God.
Last summer i had several bad panick attacks followed by neuralgia.I just ended my experimental work in the lab and i was about to start writing my Ph.D thesis.I think that i was really drained after few years of constant and intense stress.My doctor said that i had burn-out syndrome and depression.In that time of my life i understood that what i was lacking was a solid spirituality.I came to understand what does it mean to build your house on rock vs. to build your life on sand.
I was in that sorry situation because my life did not have a solid foundation.I was just dragging my spiritual feet since many years...
Posted by: Paula | January 30, 2006 at 05:26 PM
Paula, everything you said was in past tense. I sure hope and pray that things are much better now that you have God at your core. Jean, Lorna, and Patti, thanks for sharing and making this reflection come alive with your perspectives. Last week I was very down because of a difficult situation I have been dealing with. This weekend and today I'm feeling very positive and happy. Did anything in the situation changed? Not a single bit. I did. I prayed and prayed so that I could put my trust in God, He never changes. All is well now...
Posted by: Hector | January 30, 2006 at 06:51 PM
Hector, i used the past tense because the situation has changed significantly.I am happy to hear that you are fine now.
God bless
Posted by: Paula | January 31, 2006 at 07:38 AM