Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid?

By The Very Rev. Dr. Brian Baker, Dean of the Cathedral
Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento, California

Written for the Sacramento News and Review

There is a Buddhist story of a monk who is being threatened by the captain of the imperial guard for not bowing to the Emperor. The soldier draws his sword and shouts, “don’t you know I have the power to run you through without blinking an eye!” The Buddhist monk replies, “yes, but don’t you know I have the power to be run through without blinking an eye.”

This Buddhist monk displays a spiritual maturity that is deeply needed in our scary times. Five years ago we were attacked by a well-organized terrorist organization. For the last five years many of us have lived in fear of more attacks. These fears have been supplemented by fears from other perceived threats like illegal immigrants. Maintaining our security has dominated our political life.

Interestingly, our spiritual traditions have a great deal to say about fear and our need for security. In the Bible, whenever an angel encounters a human, the angel says, “do not be afraid.” I believe that is one of God’s principle messages to us. Do not be afraid! Jesus repeatedly told his followers to not fear or worry. He then lived his life like the Buddhist monk in the story. He loved others freely without fear, even as he was heading to his own execution. Jesus knew that life would be neither easy nor safe. He also knew that maintaining his safety meant failing to live his life.

Fear constricts life. Living in fear narrows our horizon such that we eventually only see that which we fear, and we only do that which we must to stay safe. Fear, taken to its extreme, can drive us to live completely isolated lives, as we separate ourselves from everybody that can threaten us. In this condition there is no true freedom and no true joy.

After September 11, we cannot pretend that there are not people in the world who want to harm us. It is our moral obligation to oppose violence. Safety and security are important for a free nation. But when we are overwhelmed with fear, our freedom can be lost as we take more extreme measures to protect ourselves.

St. Paul claims perfect love casts out fear, not added security. I believe that this love requires us to move toward interdependence, not isolation. This love also places a priority on understanding and serving others over protecting ourselves. As we live in love with God and others, fear shrinks, freedom grows and we can step more boldly through our lives.

Brian Baker
September 2006