Be Not Afraid ~ Totus Tuus

“Be not afraid”, these are the beautiful words that Pope John Paul II began and ended his papacy with.

The exhortation "Be not afraid!" should be interpreted as having a very broad meaning. In a certain sense it was an exhortation addressed to all people, an exhortation to conquer fear in the present world situation, as much in the East as in the West, as much in the North as in the South. Have no fear of that which you yourselves have created, have no fear of all that man has produced, and that every day is becoming more dangerous for him! Finally, have no fear of yourselves! 1

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. John 3:16.

God’s ultimate gift to us was his Son, our Redeemer, that all who believe in him might not perish, but instead might have eternal life.

Like many of us, there have been times in my life when fear has gripped my heart and stolen my peace. This might have been caused by something I had done or something that had been done to me. Recently, I was talking to my mother about a situation that had left me shaken and distraught and I said to her, “Mama, I am afraid”. She looked at me with such compassion and assurance, in a way that only a loving mother could , and she said, “Do not be afraid, pray”. I told her that I could not pray at this time and she told me, “don’t worry, I will pray for you”.

During that time, though I could not pray, I held my rosary in my hand, like it was my shield, my protection. I believed that both my earthly mother and my heavenly mother’s prayers would lead me to the peace I needed.My trust in their prayer carried me forward.Shortly after, I received the peace I needed. My fear left me and I was able to pray and to thank God for the gift of my two mothers.

On April 2, 2012 Our Lady Queen of Peace gave the following message to Mirjana:

"Dear children, As the Queen of Peace, I desire to give peace to you, my children, true peace which comes through the heart of my Divine Son. As a mother I pray that wisdom, humility and goodness may come to reign in your hearts; that peace may reign; that my Son may reign. When my Son will be the ruler in your hearts, you will be able to help others to come to know Him. When heavenly peace comes to rule over you, those who are seeking it in the wrong places, thus causing pain to my motherly heart, will recognize it. My children, great will be my joy when I see that you are accepting my words and that you desire to follow me. Do not be afraid, you are not alone. Give me your hands and I will lead you. Do not forget your shepherds. Pray that in their thoughts they may always be with my Son who called them to witness Him. Thank you."

The word desire means a longing or a hope for. Our Lady longs for us to have a peace in our souls, peace that only comes through her Son. This is her constant prayer for us. Only through peace will wisdom, humility and goodness reign in our hearts. Only through peace will true change come into our lives. Only then will we be able to bring change into our families, our neighborhoods and the world we live in.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14: 27

1. Reflections on the Philosopher Pope