Editorial: Be Not Afraid

Be Not Afraid!

That we are living in troublesome times, no one can doubt. The list of contemporary calamities which have so affected family life is just about endless. There is much to cause concern, grave concern. The danger is that we become a hopeless people. And hopelessness is a
soul – eating virus.

Yet in the midst of this depressing turmoil, there is a strong voice crying out, “Be Not Afraid!” These words have become a major theme of the Pope. Surely he well knows the horror stories of this generation better than most. Yet joyful hope is his trademark.

We can well ask how we can be hopeful in the midst of a “depraved generation.” How can the Holy Father be a beacon of joy in the midst of such darkness?

It must be said that the spirituality of Saint Louis de Montfort, so exemplified in the life and teachings of the Vicar of Christ, is one of the powerful sources of his victorious hope. And all who truly share in the saint’s spirituality are, like the Pope, signs of fearless, bold hope.

Montfort spirituality is fundamentally a joyful, victorious teaching, intensely conscious of the cosmic victory achieved through the triumph of The Cross. In the midst of excruciating trials, we still possess a peace which no one can take from us, for Jesus Wisdom is the universal conqueror who is in His Person, the defeat of all that is evil. Although to be fully implemented through us, Jesus risen pronounces the certain, ultimate downfall of everything opposed to the holiness of God. How can we not be hopeful!

Moreover, Mary, one of the redeemed, has already achieved the fulfillment of hope, the glory of the Lord. We know that with her as example and influence, as Model and Mother, we will one day also be Victoriously glorified into the brilliance of the risen Christ. Mary is, as Vatican Council II reminds us, the sign of sure hope to the pilgrim people of God. Living the triumph of The Cross through Mary, the followers of Montfort are imbued with an indestructible hope which enables them to carry out magnificent things for the glory of God, in the midst of contemporary turmoils.

Be Not Afraid! This fearless hope is a fruit of Montfort Spirituality. From within the darkness of present times, we cry out Victoriously, “Come, Son of Mary, Come, Lord Jesus!” “Mary precedes us along the path of faith,” preaches the Holy Father, “teaching us to live it with audacity and perseverance…As hope, she teaches us to trust in the Lord’s promises.”

In today’s world, we must refute these prophets of doom who see permanent destruction everywhere, even the failure of God’s plan of salvation. Some alleged visions and prophecies condemn themselves by putting on Mary’s lips hopeless gloom and doom. No matter what we may suffer now and tomorrow, the triumphant Cross and Mary’s example strengthen us with certain, joyful hope. And hope empowers us all to implement that Victory by our deeds, our words and most of all by our example.