Christianity's most countercultural teaching: Be not afraid

Only a couple of weeks ago, our county government deigned to allow us to return to Mass at our home parish. Behind the masks, and across the enforced social distance, you could see tears of joy in the eyes of parishioners.

The moment was made more poignant by the news that we were losing our beloved pastor, Rev. Dan Leary, who was headed down to Mexico to serve the poor. And although the readings for the Sunday Mass had been chosen 50 years ago, they seemed to be timed perfectly and providentially: They all preached perhaps the most timely but countercultural message from Christianity and Judaism alike.