By Katie Beckmann Mahon, Communications Manager
This week’s “Embracing Faith” article will focus on Embracing Faith through Inner Peace.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” -John 14:27
Fear is something that has consumed us over the past two weeks.
Whether it be fear of COVID-19, fear of violence, fear of division, or fear of the unknown, the fear has been nothing short of overwhelming and exhausting.
I have dealt with this ongoing fear with prayer and conversation, often asking God why these awful things have been happening to our country.
As Catholics and other people of faith continue to navigate these chaotic times, we must ask ourselves, how will we respond to the crisis we face as a country? How do we transform our fear into faith?
Do we choose to focus on Jesus and our faith, or do we want to focus on every toxic social media post and news story that we see?
There are reasons to be discouraged, and yet, there are many more reasons to have hope for the future.
Yesterday marked the reopening of churches, synagogues, and mosques in New York. Even though there are social distancing guidelines to follow, along with other changes, the critical thing to focus on is that people can finally gather in their place of worship and pray.
Let us hope that the reopening of these places of worship creates inner peace for those in need.
Let us hope that people in need will return to their places of worship and talk to God, be inspired to be part of the solution and not the problem, as well as transform their fear into faith.