Looking Ahead: Are we willing to allow our fears to turn into blessings?

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

“Looking Ahead” is a reflection on the Sunday readings, for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, by Father Perry.

Unplanned pregnancies are almost always more than just a surprise; often, they are shocking and difficult to deal with. Especially for a couple that is not married, it can often fill them with fear and uncertainty.

It is, therefore, rather comforting to know that Joseph and Mary were no different; although they were betrothed, they were not married.

Joseph was prepared to end the relationship; but a biblical wonder occurred — a revelation from God.

In a dream an angelic visitation put Joseph at ease by going to the root cause of his problem.

Fear! The angel told Joseph: “Do not be afraid.”

Fear can so easily block our vision, cloud our thinking, damage our courage, and prevent us from becoming our best self.

Joseph awoke from his dream with more resolve than ever and this pregnancy became, as most eventually do, a blessing that would change not only Joseph and Mary’s lives, but ours, too.

Is fear a predominant reality in our lives? Are we controlled by fear? Are we able to recognize our fears?

Are we willing to allow the angelic revelations calling us to not be afraid bring us to peace and trust and allow our fears to turn into blessings?

Again, we come to realize that God is in all, works through all, and can take the surprising and shocking realities of our lives and make them grace-filled blessings!

Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.