Every human soul is like soil – deep dark soil. It is deep because the depth of the human soul is limitless. It is dark because the darkness of the soul is like a great abyss, a dark reservoir holding all that is unknown in our being. And while this dark soil of our soul hides the source of our true being, it also hides the source of our fear. For there is a deep reservoir of fear that lives within every human soul, that inspires our egotism and so often remains hidden, goes unnoticed. But in times like ours with horrible acts of terror like in Paris, Lebanon and Syria, with Isis, with the migration of countless human beings fleeing wars and countries in ruin, and most of all with our media’s ability fabricate and exaggerate our fear, all this results in that the fearful darkness in the soil our souls is taking hold of and motivating our humanity today like never before.

And yet, we all know that if you plant a seed in the deep darkness of the soil – if you care for the seed and water it, eventually it will grow, blossom and bring fruit.

Christ and His Angels are calling each and every one of us to plant a seed in the dark soil of our souls. And even though we may feel that there is no solution for the dangers of our time except violent retribution which is always born of fear, we are called to plant the seed of trust in the midst of our dark fears. For trust in God, trust in the divine wisdom guiding our destinies, even though it is difficult, is the only antidote for fear.

And if we choose to take a stand in real faith, if we choose to tend and water the shoots of trust in our hearts instead of reacting out of fear, if we choose to be inspired by St. Paul and realize that this is not a battle of ‘us’ vs. ‘them’ but a battle of fear vs. faith in our souls, then the seed will grow, the seed will blossom and eventually faith will become much greater than our fear. For in the eyes of God, fear is the problem, not people.

May we not let the spirits of fear take our hearts!

This contemplation by Rev. Evans was inspired by the recent events in Paris, Lebanon and Syria