FEAR OF SPEAKING
(Tuesday, May 23)
“So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” (Mk 16:8) But when the women did speak, the Apostles did not believe them. Nor did they believe the two disciples, who on the road to Emmaus talked with the risen Lord, and then recognized Him in the breaking of the bread. Finally, when He appeared to the Eleven despite the closed doors, “He upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them who had seen Him after He was risen.” (Mk 16:10-14) Why did they not believe? Because none of this was what they expected or wanted from Him, neither the very-public Cross, nor the very not *public Resurrection*. They were waiting for an earthly triumph and earthly kingdom, – even at the moment of His ascension: “Lord, will You at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” they ask, right before He ascends. (Acts 1:6) It is only at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit empowers them with His grace, that they all begin to speak loudly and clearly about the Cross and Resurrection.
In our times, we may also be afraid to speak truth, even to other followers of Christ, when they or we ourselves find this truth uncomfortable, because it is not what *we* would prefer to hear, according to our political, national, personal, professional, or other merely-human aspirations. But let us take heart! Pentecost is near, and in fact always ongoing, in the continuous Pentecost that is the life of the Church. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33)
