The Message
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Comments'Nothing to Fear'
The Antidote has Arrived
One of the most famous quotes from a speech came from the first inaugural address of Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 4, 1933. In it he stated:
This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure, as it has endured, will revive and will prosper.
So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.
No matter our race, gender, creed, or financial status, we will all face adversity as we traverse this valley of tears. The adversity could come in the form of one, some or all of the following: financial hardship, poor health, divorce, loss of a loved one, the struggle with addictions. All of us will be tested. How do we continue to face these demons that are so much a part of our daily lives? We must first prepare for battle; we must put on the armor of God!
"Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equivalent of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
— (Eph 6:14).
We must speak the truth, and we must live that truth! Never be afraid to tell others that you are a Christian. All of God's creatures are special, but many in our nation are more preoccupied with saving white-tailed sparrows and tree frogs and often mindless political debate while huge issues are minimized: including the act of partially delivering a human infant ready to take it first breath by inserting a scalpel into its skull, and extracting its brain. The young child that was minutes away from enjoying the "right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" is then delivered stillborn.
"Don't talk about it, and don't go there in conversation, as that is a personal matter between a woman and her doctor," I hear people say.
What should be a most exciting and memorable event — the birth of a child — has, for some, become a most heinous event. Children, as a gift from God, are increasingly looked on as a bother, a nuisance, and an inconvenience.
But we must act out of love of God and with peace. All our actions must be done out of love of God. We must seek truth and learn the faith. We must be prepared to defend our beliefs. We must help others find Jesus Christ. As the Lord said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6). So many people are floundering in search of peace and happiness and have lost their way. The saying rings true that, if you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.
What is the answer? Remember that fear is incompatible with trust in God. You cannot be anxious, fearful, and discouraged if you trust in the Lord. Let us reflect on the words of our Lord to St. Faustina, "Mankind will not have peace until it learns to trust in My mercy" (Diary of St. Faustina, 300).
Yes, the antidote has arrived! Isn't that a cause for hope? Now, it is up to the people to take the antidote so that we may live. No matter how discouraged you become, I ask that you pray for the strength to trust in Him in all situations! For "the more a soul trusts, the more (graces) it will receive," (Diary, 1578).
Dr. Bryan Thatcher is the founder of Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy (EADM), an apostolate of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception.
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Mehari - Jun 15, 2009
Thanks Dr. Bryan Thatcher,
It reminds us what we really need right now.
Jesus, I Trust in You.
Maria - Jun 15, 2009
Thank you too , esp. for the never enough reminder :) -to trust in His mercy , to lead us into right paths ,esp. of forgiveness ...such as when faced with pain/rejection from others ...the little barbs from those near and dear... instead of reacting, taking a minute ( or lots ) of minuntes :) ... trusting that His mercy will work in us and them too , trusting enough in Him,to lift up all that is not of Him in us and others ..trusting that He has lifted it and given us and the other , His grace .. to start and keep thanking Him , like all the good charismatic priests who could talk about bad situations and instantaneouly turn to - thank You and praise You, Lord !: )
A servant of Jesus and Mary - Jun 15, 2009
Thank you for this reminder.
Mary, Most Holy aid your children to surrender and trust in God's mercy. May God be praised in His infinite Mercy, amen.
Bill Thatcher - Jun 15, 2009
Excellent article-and dead on
God is only thing that we can count on to help us get through our daily burdens
Dolores Kelley, EADM Facilitator - Jun 15, 2009
Trust in God is the answer and with that trust we must cling to the richness of our Catholic faith. The truth of how blessed we are by the gifts given to the church by Christ, is our shield. The mass, the Eucharist, and Reconciliation, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, these are what will keep us strong and defeat fear. We are "Soldiers of Christ" and now in modern times, we are called upon once more to Trust in His Mercy. The church will never be defeated, that is the promise of God. Trust, do not be afraid.
Maria P. (Canada) - Jun 15, 2009
Thank you Dr. Thatcher for this great reminder. Interesting......most of the cenacle members that are joining are from retreats I hold in my home--"Journey to Wholeness--Healing and Restoration" which we dissect Ephesians 4. Your article has led me to read it again and reflect on it. We thank Jesus for interceding to the Father for us John 17 and verse 7--consecrating us in the truth. Let us unite our hearts that we all be given the grace to be courageous and to speak the truth to all who walk in our path. Many blessings to you, your family, our priests and all Eucharistic Apostles of Divine Mercy, praising God forever and ever.
annie karto - Jun 15, 2009
How true are your words! In these difficult times, people need to be reminded of God's great Mercy... we all need hope...and TRUST in His Mercy.
Jim - Jun 15, 2009
You are certainly on target. Have no fear to spread the faith but give all the Honor and Glory to God - and I feel strong that Divine Mercy provides the strength.
Erica - Jun 15, 2009
Thanks Dr. Thatcher for those inspiring words, and oh how true they ring!! We all need to just fall back on the neverending mercy of Jesus WITHOUT LOOKING BACK. It's just like those trust games we all used to play in school, just fall back and your partner will catch you. Only thing is, human partners won't always catch you, but our Lord will, every single time!! One can practice this trust game in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Believe me, one will sense the "catch" once leaving that chapel. " And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." Matt 28:20
Karen - Jun 15, 2009
Thank you for helping us to gain strength today. We need to encourage each other and lift up each other in prayer. Always.
A Fillmore Girl - Jun 15, 2009
Yes Thamkyou for this Dr. Bryan ..In a World that so Crazy ...upsidedown ..Chaotic...that some people call good is evil and evil is good....
I.C. - Jun 15, 2009
Eternal Father of Divine Mercy, we pray for the grace to follow the example of Patriarch Abraham interceding with God not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah." For the sake of ten I will not destroy it"(Genesis 18:32). Now we pray in the Divine Mercy Chaplet, " For the sake of His sorrowful Passion , have mercy on us and on the whole world". To believe and to love and to trust in the Divine mercy of the Son of God.
maryS - Jun 15, 2009
Thank you so much.I will share this to my family and friends and to the Divine Mercy members.TRUSTING HIM is the key in all our problems we have.God bless you Dr. Bryan
Agnes Bukenya N. (EADM - Uganda) June 16, 2009 - Jun 16, 2009
Thank you Dr Bryan for the inspiring words. This is has reminded of the retreat I attend in Poland of the theme: "Don't Worry too much" (fear). It was showed to us that once you try to solve things on your own and you end-up unsuccessful, you start worrying or fear arises in that case you are treating God as a dead wood which not right. What brings this? Its us human being who are not appreciative of all that God gives us. And we end-up over burdened in our lives instead of giving thanks and trusting God.It means we don't have the attitude of faith which Jesus demanded of His followers. Jesus expected it when He was healing, forgiving sins etc. Jesus said "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain to move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you (Mt 17:20)." Let us put the Trust in Jesus in whatever situation we may be. Jesus I trust in you. (JEZU UFAM TOBIE)
TC - Jun 16, 2009
Thank you Doc;
Jesus, I Trust in You is so powerful and is a stand-alone prayer in itself. Thank you for the reminder that "fear" is incompatible with "trust". Psalm 121 reminds us that God in His mercy is our guard and our shade; and, at our our right side He stands. So, what is there to fear? God Bless!
susan-EADM TORONTO - Jun 16, 2009
That is exactly what we needed now, HOPE & TRUST in the Divine Mercy, in these times of global upheaval where people have forgotten the beauty of this world's creation and instead try to change the world thru'uprising, abortion,greed, and all sorts of evil. Let us be more prayerful and do the best we could wherever we are to spread God's message while there is still time.Jesus, King of Mercy I trust in You!
Brian - Jun 16, 2009
Eternal God...increase your mercy in us that in difficult moments we might not despair or become despondent, but with great confidence, submit ourselves to your holy will, which is love and mercy itself...Bryan, how easy these words are to say and, yet, how difficult they are to live. Indeed, trust is the beacon that leads us through the most turbulent seas to the shores of His infinite mercy. The stormiest seas do make a most skilled sailor and in these times, we must raise the sails of trust, set our eyes on the Rock and allow wind of the Holy Spirit to deliver us safely home. Thank you for this timely reflection. God Bless you and the EADM
Ruby - Jun 16, 2009
Thanks for reminding us of the much needed antidote of trust most especially during difficult and trying times. I have learned to surrender all my fears, worries and anxieties to the Lord ever since I became a devotee of the Divine Mercy. Only when we trust in Him completely that we unleash His power power in our life.
Dave M - Jun 17, 2009
Bryan:
Thank you for proclaiming that trusting in Jesus and God the Father are our only lifelines to God's love.
Is that trust a panacea, a sure road towards the sunny side of Catholicism; I think not. I think you imply that there will always be moments of "The dark night of the soul."
Speaking for myself, the "darkness" has a way of intruding. And when confronted with it, I'm not nearly as witty or eloquent as the opinion makers of modern media who at best put politically correct nuances on God's love and mercy and more often seek to divert our attention from it. But through that trust, ever so surely, we can deeply the reality that we all have God's presence within us and have always been the recipients of a deep and abiding love. And with trust in Jesus, can mirror that love to the world.
Terry Muzones- EADM Chicago - Jun 17, 2009
Well said Dr. Thatcher! Yes, the antidote has arrived, for there is nothing to fear when we have faith and trust in the Lord. The mass and frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist, is what will nurture us in building a close relationship with God, and in keeping us spiritually strong. We should therefore share our love of God, profess our faith openly, and spread the message of the Divine Mercy. With Jesus in our heart, and in our mind, we need not worry about anything. Total surrender, and trust in His Divine Mercy, will get us through life's trial, and lead us to eternal salvation.
ROSARIO-TEXAS - Jun 17, 2009
THANKS DR.THATCHER. WE ALL NEED TO BE
REMINDED DAILY TO SAY IT AND MEAN IT--
JESUS,I TRUST IN YOU; AND DARKNESS WILL
TURN INTO LIGHT.
toochukwu ngwaba - Jun 18, 2009
Of course the opposite of faith is fear.we just have to take what you say serious,for if we want the undoable to be done then we must trust and believe in the unbelieveable.we must have faith and expel fear.
we must trust in God.
Fr.Charles Abbud Edward - Jun 28, 2009
Thanks Dr.Brayn for your wanderfull and encouraging word. it is wonderful to truth in God. You reminded me of how we suffer the 21 years of civil war in Sudan people lost hope and truth.Thank God that you are able to help the people of Sudan to put their truth in God. May God bless you.