Fear and Rewards (Saturday, Week 21, Year 2, Passion of St John the Baptist)

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At the root of whatever we do or say, there is always a factor of fear: it is either we fear God or fear men. The fear of God surely attracts suffering, hatred and persecution in this world but then assures blessedness and joy in the world to come. The fear of men promises fake joy, freedom and security in this world; but paves way for eternal bondage and pains in the world to come. Having known the consequences of whichever choice we may make, wisdom demands that we make a choice that will secure a happy eternity for us. 

Is it wise to fear God rather than men? Of course, Scripture teaches that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10), not wisdom according to the flesh but wisdom which is foolishness to the world. In our own time, in our days as before, to fear God in word and deed is sometimes interpreted or seen as foolish. If you are ready and willing to speak the truth, to defend the faith and to live morally, be ready to be branded a foolish person. But as St Paul rightly said in the first reading (cf. 1 Cor. 1:26-31), God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame those who consider themselves wise in the worldly sense of it. I am sure so many people during the time of John the Baptist might have regarded him as a foolish person who never valued his life when he spoke truth to power. It is also happening in our time: some people brand those who speak truth to power as not being prudent, as not being wise. John the Baptist feared the Lord rather than men; and in that way proved himself wise in the sight of God. Because he feared God, he was ready to die at the hands of men.
 
The question that I must ask myself today as we celebrate him is: HAVING EXAMINED MY LIFE IN GENERAL, WHICH FEAR INSPIRES MY ACTIONS: FEAR OF GOD OR FEAR OF MEN? AND AM I READY TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES: TO BE HAPPY AND SAFE HERE AND ETERNALLY SAD THEREAFTER OR TO BE INCONVENIENCED HERE AND ETERNALLY HAPPY THEREAFTER?

     

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