Fear is a game changer, isn’t it? So many self-therapy books these days describe in detail the harmful effects that overwhelming or chronic fear has on body, mind and spirit. The more afraid we are, the more we reach for survival tactics such as fight, flight or freeze. Notions of love, community and abundance are incomprehensible to a mind overcome by fear. I liken the ongoing process of letting go of my fears to one of relaxing a clenched fist. While clenched, the hand is limited in purpose. Unclenched, there are so many possibilities!
In this week’s gospel reading* my heart goes out to the third servant, already assessed by his master as having less ability, whose fear-based response of shutting down evokes anger upon the master’s return. Placing myself in the story, of course I want to be one of the first two servant who doubles what they return to the master. I am sure that we can all think of moments, however, when, with constricted hearts and closed minds, our responses are third servant-like. We have all been there.
For me, this gospel reflection is a lesson on the consequences and disappointments of living a fear-based life. Jesus is our example of a life based on trusting in God’s goodness and opening into an expression of God’s love in community. It’s a life without regrets. In contrast, the third servant provides an example of the regret and sorrow of a life not fully lived, a heart that remains closed, a fist that remains clenched. It’s our choice, as always, as we make our way through each day. Which servant will we be today?
