QotD: One Question

If you could ask your boss or teacher ONE question without any repercussions, what would it be?

I cannot recall ever being in such a situation. When I have a question, I ask it, regardless of the person. I examine the situation and word my question in such a way as to not offend or incite an extreme emotional response. However, I do not exalt people so high that I am in fear of what might happen because of my inquiry.

Fear can be a paralyzing response that can be dealt with when one sees what is really happening in a situation and inside the fearful person. When a person lives mindfully, they see the present reality in an awakened state. When one can see mindfully, fear from either blindness or blurry vision is eliminated. Mindfulness is cultivated by disciplined study and meditation.

Mark 4:35-41 (NAB)

On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, "Let us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"

The faith Jesus is talking about is a lack of mindfulness by the disciples to both see and hear the living message of Jesus Christ. This created fear for the disciples and continues to create fear even today among many who believe in Jesus. Believers of Jesus who act contrary to his teachings are afraid of his radical teachings of love and forgiveness.

Fear is paralyzing and often deadly. Thankfully, being afraid is not an involuntary emotional response: it is a choice when one is awakened to why they are afraid. Study and meditation help people wake up to reality. The disciples would not have been afraid if they had actually seen and believed in Jesus. We can also wake up and stop being afraid.