September 7, 2024 Daily Devotion

What Are You Afraid Of?

John 14:21

In the August 2024 Magnificat, Saint Hilarion was fearful at the time of his death, but then he said to himself, “What are you afraid of?” For seventy years you have served Jesus; are you now afraid to die?” Jesus tells us in John 14:21 that those who love me will be loved by my Father. Those who die obeying the commandments die in the love of God. And those who love need never fear. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

Saint Francis of Assisi began to sing at the hour of his death, and invited his brothers to join in. Brother Elias said to him: “Father, at death we ought to weep rather than sing.” Francis replied: “I can’t stop singing, for I soon shall go to enjoy my God.