5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER A

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NO NEED TO FEAR

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” The Lord is not being impractical here. Or course, there are troubles all around us, between countries, religions, races, even in families; there are frictions everywhere. But the Lord is concerned about one thing – the heart.

There is a place where we can regain our peace, no matter how confusing, noisy or disorderly our environment is. There is a place where we can declare victory over every problem or difficulty we encounter. This place is our heart!

Why is the heart troubled? The heart is troubled when it is unsure of what will happen next. So many apprehensions are really anticipated fears – those which have no basis except in our imagination. When we do not know what will happen, it throws us off balance. This is why Jesus assures us of one thing: in my Father’s house there are many mansions! There is a sure place for us. God is preparing great things for us.

Furthermore, Jesus makes this firm promise: I am the way, the truth, and the life. A believer can never be unsure because Jesus is the solid basis of all God’s promises.

The heart is troubled also when it feels inadequate. This is the fear that stems from “I can’t.” I can’t do it. I can’t succeed. I can’t survive, etc. This is why Jesus explains that his works are reliable. His words and his deeds have been blessed by the Father and will bless those who trust in him. A Christian always “can” do everything he focuses his heart on: “whoever believes will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than this…”

This Easter, let us train our hearts to trust, instead of to fear. Let us train our hearts to be confident, rather than to doubt, what God can do in and through us.

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