Daily Reflection Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

 “Who does he think he is!” Haven’t we heard this phrase repeatedly when someone exhibits a talent we never thought he had? Instead of rejoicing with their homeboy, Jesus, the villagers scoff at his goodness and generosity. Actually, they are afraid of Jesus. There is power in his words, which shows itself in his deep love for his people.

 

    In his letter to the Hebrews, Paul preaches a different kind of love. One that speaks of fear and of peace. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we receive in Baptism is Fear of the Lord. Fear—a gift? Yes, because it establishes a proper relationship between God and ourselves. This fear coming from love helps us to moderate our disordered impulses. When we love someone deeply, we have the fear of doing something to hurt that person in one way or another. Well, that is a good fear. We then transfer our fear to our relationship with God. Yes, that is a good fear also. We don’t want to do anything that jeopardizes our experience of God. And that is the Gift of Fear.

 

    We are also celebrating today the feast of St. Agatha. A young woman of third century Sicily, Agatha refused to marry. Her bold decision cost her much suffering, burning, and torture. However, she held on to her decision to save herself for God. Agatha’s fear was that she would give in to her torturers. But her love for God overcame her fear. She held on to this gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

    Both Jesus and Agatha did not follow the crowd. Jesus was firm in his relationship with his Father, so he dissed the naysayers of his neighborhood. Several centuries later, Agatha refused to follow the customary path of becoming the property of a husband. She consecrated herself to God and suffered the consequences.

 

    We are living in a different culture from Jesus and Agatha. We received the gift of the Fear of the Lord in Confirmation. Let’s sit with our God today to discern how we are living this gift daily: loving so deeply that we fear and refrain from anyone and anything that tarnishes our relationship with God…..And, realizing that this relationship is reflected in how we react or respond to others. Jesus didn’t spew verbal stones at the Nazarenes. Agatha managed to remain faithful to her God. Let’s marinate in how this gift of fear affects our daily lives.