We are a frightened people.

We are afraid of everything from the way we are perceived by others to the very God we worship. We are afraid of telling the truth. We are afraid of hearing it.

We are afraid and that fear prevents us from experiencing the abundant life that Christ came to share.

It was precisely this dilemma that Jesus faced so long ago. He was pelted with questions that revealed the questioner’s fear.

"What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

"Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

"How often must I forgive my brother?"

Over and over again came the frightened questions. And over and over again, Jesus answered their questions with the promise of the angels,

"Do not be afraid."

It is fear that has so-called Christians living out lives of anger, hatred and revenge. It is fear that has us devising rules and boundaries that try and control the grace of God. It is fear and that is of what we must, utterly and unequivocally, let go.

For it is in the letting go that we enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.