Christ Who Knows No Fear

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on March 10, 2022

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1-2)

My father was not someone who prayed silently or softly. After his retirement, he had some hard decisions to make regarding the path his senior years would take. As a child he had memorized Psalm 27 and night after night in his time of challenge, he would say this Psalm out loud before offering up his prayers. He did not know it, although his bedroom door was closed, I could still hear him pray. I listened intently and found the words of the Psalm both comforting and enlightening. I came to understand that when fearful and uncertain, I too, could be assured that God is the strength of my life!  God offers us freedom from fear for He knows no fear. What good news!

This Sunday, we will hear Psalm 27 read or sung, and hopefully, receive the assurance it offers. We will also read Luke’s account of Jesus’ fearless response to the Pharisees who attempt to dissuade him from journeying to Jerusalem (Luke 13:31-35). The Pharisees tell Jesus to head away from Jerusalem because Herod wants to kill him. Will Jesus yield to the temptation of saving himself by turning away from Jerusalem?  Jesus is not hindered by fear of either Herod or the Pharisees. Jesus is focused on fulfilling his mission, assured that his life is in His Father’s hands. The Father will enable him to escape harm and complete His mission.

Jesus, therefore, proclaims that he will continue doing his work, which finishes in Jerusalem with his death and resurrection on the third day.  He knew that like the martyrdom that befell prophets before him, he too would be killed in the Holy City, Jerusalem. Yet he was truly free of fear, even fear of suffering and death. What was the source of Jesus’ amazing courage and freedom from fear? At Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit lighted upon him and affirmed his identity as The Son of God. Jesus, empowered by the Spirit, wholeheartedly embraced who he was and his sacrificial calling to bring the good news of God’s divine and unending love to God’s people. Jesus took up his cross, not counting the cost.  

In this Lenten season, as we journey with Jesus along the road to Jerusalem, may we ponder anew who we are as persons “sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever.” May the love of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit inspire and enable us to overcome fear and courageously focus our life’s journey on God’s calling. God is indeed our light and our salvation.

Tags: resurrection, salvation, journey, light, courage, god's calling, fearless

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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