1.  Matthew 1:18-25

The first spoken word in Matthew comes when angel of the Lord says to Joseph: “Do not be afraid…”  Joseph was encouraged to not shrink back from taking part in the grand mystery of God’s in-breaking – God’s coming.  An angel is a messenger.  How/when have you heard the message to not be afraid of participating in God’s coming into the world?

2.  Matthew 2

Herod was afraid.  What was he afraid of?  Rachel was forced into weeping because Herod gave into his fears.  Joseph was afraid.  When is there good reason to be afraid?  What helped Joseph and Mary continue to rise up out of their fears and into lives of faithfulness?  What helps you to rise up out of your fears? 

3.  Matthew 6:25-34

Jesus says, “Do not worry about your life. . .”  What causes you the most worry?  How can looking at the birds or the lilies help us put things into perspective?  What might Jesus have pointed us to today? – the falling leaves?. . .  What helps put your worries into perspective?

4.  Matthew 10:16-20

Jesus told them to not worry about what they were to say, but to trust the Holy Spirit’s voice in them.  The Spirit blows through us like wind through a reed instrument.  Our fingers are needed, the Spirit gives us breath.  What helps you trust God to give you voice?   

5.  Matthew 10:26-31

“Do not be afraid, you are of more value than many sparrows.”  We know when something is ‘soulful’ for us – when it touches deeply into who we know ourselves to be most deeply.  How can we care for our souls so that what is truly God-given in us, in the Faith Lutheran community, and in our world is not put at risk?  What are those things that really matter to you?  How are you and how can we as community, best care for that which really matters?  

The disciples were terrified when they saw Jesus coming to them in an unexpected, unprecedented way: walking on the sea.  They did not recognize Jesus.  But Jesus spoke and calmed their fears: “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid.”  How might God’s living Word be responding to your fears?  What helps you turn your ear towards God’s voice?  

7. Matthew 17:1-21  

Peter, James and John were ‘overcome by fear.’  Being overcome by fear stops us in our tracks.  It makes us buckle over.  The disciples were told to “listen,” but what unfroze them was Jesus coming to them, touching them and telling them to “Get up and do not be afraid.”  God knew we would need an incarnate touch – and gave us the Word and Sacraments.  They are God coming near.  As you grow more and more hungry for that nearness, give thanks for those who introduced you to the church – the community entrusted by Jesus to makes these gifts available to all who hunger and thirst.  Thank you for all you do to pray for and build up the body of Christ, the Church!  Thank God today for others who help build up Christ’s body where the incarnate Word is shared!

8. Matthew 28:1-10

The last chapter of Matthew begins with the same word from the angel of the Lord that we heard in Matthew’s first chapter: “Do not be afraid.”  Jesus then repeats those same words to his disciples, “Do not be afraid; go and tell. . .”   Matthew tells us we are freed from fear.  What are we freed for?  Give thanks for the freedom we have to live as disciples of Jesus.