Prayer of the Day

Feast of St. Finnian, Bishop of Meath

Very often in the Old and New Testament we hear the words “do not be afraid.”   It is usually addressed to somebody being asked to change the direction of their lives.  We hear the angel saying it to Mary at the Annunciation and we hear it again spoken by Jesus to his frightened disciples before and after the resurrection.  As we proceed through our Advent journey we hear the very consoling words “do not be afraid, I will help you.”  This promise should give us courage when we feel overwhelmed by our brokenness.  We are assured that God will never abandon us for “the Lord is kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults.” (Psalm  102)