Fear paralyzes people. Fear impairs judgment. Fear prompts an instinct to flee, fight, or even freeze. Fear is the most effective weapon of those in power against dissent and resistance. The Roman Empire maintained peace and order using the fear of imprisonment, exile, and crucifixion. The Romans crucified those they tagged as "enemies of the state," and carried out up to 500 state-sanctioned executions in a single day. All legal!
Fear permeates the Gospels. Why did Peter rebuke Jesus? He was afraid for Jesus. Why did Peter deny Jesus? He was afraid of being identified with Jesus. Why did all the male disciples flee when Jesus was arrested? They were afraid of being arrested with Jesus. Everyone was afraid of being crucified!
Fear permeates Sunday's Gospel Reading. The fear of rejection? Yes. The lack of provisions? No purse, no bag, no sandals! Yes. Inhospitality, apathy, indifference from people and communities? Yes. The fear of death? Definitely. Sheep among wolves is a dangerous situation. Wolves kill sheep. Violently. Many times, wolves will kill more than they need. Human wolves do worse.
Only two things can conquer fear: a bigger fear or faith. Faith embodied through the quest for justice, the struggle for freedom, and the practice of love.
And for many among us, this faith that conquers fear is best expressed by the anthem incarnated in the lives of generations of prophets and peace activists worldwide. Their dissent and resistance were like hammers of justice, bells of freedom, and songs about love among brothers and sisters.
Trump, Netanyahu, Duterte, Marcos, and their fellow predators and purveyors of fear need to be reminded that the anthem is greater than the sum of its parts. Much, much, more. In the end, we shall overcome. Faith will always, always, conquer fear!
*YouTube link: "If I Had a Hammer" by Pete Seeger and Lee Hayes, performed by Peter, Paul, and Mary at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1965 (attended by over 250,000 people).
https://youtu.be/AKgm9ARmOMM?si=IVovhxA77pq-_VjM
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