Shoop Mount simply helps me see things differently - here again.
Institutional fear has the same antidote as embodied, personal fear. Remember the birthing body and the ruptures caused by fear. Support, affirmation, embodied knowing, and truth are all enfleshed antidotes to the paralyzing effects of fear. When we surrender out of power and not out of fear then we are more response-able. When a woman gives in to the power of her own body, then her body is freed up to do the work it knows how to do. "Fear not!" is not a suggestion. It is the cornerstone of Christian life.
"When we surrender out of power - we are more response-able." The religious and political powers thought they had Jesus done in. They had him tied up and ready to be left out to dry and die. But he was in that place because he was able to respond to the world around him the way he intended to respond. He was going to be the "truly human one" the "messiah" and no power was going to shake him up to make him go another way. Fear is a monster that puffs itself up so that we will not go the way we are to go and we will not be the ones we are to be. I don't know anything about a woman's body work - I be a fool to say that I do. But every time I see a pregnant woman I am awe-filled. Her body will do what it will do - that's what I'm told. But from my view point - wow. And yet, that is what we all must remember. The body of Christ will do what it must do - fear not. Each one of us must be and do whatever it is that makes us the followers of Jesus - such acts of courage build the witness and make each of us a blessing to the world.
Connection: How do any of us face those pregnant moments in our lives when we may be so easily swayed by fear and yet are called to be faithful and witness to the bright light of our humanity? It is really quite a daily question to consider.
As you lead us through the wilderness of our fears, O God, help us to work though it all and follow our Lord, Jesus, even as we tremble. Amen.
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