Sober, Not Afraid - Trinity 3 2026

St. Peter presents a careful balance that we Christians are to maintain. On the one hand, he tells us to be alert, vigilant, and sober. On the other hand, he does not tell us to panic. He does not tell us to despair. He does not tell us to live in terror of the devil, of sin, or of the troubles of this world. There is a great difference between sobriety and fear.

A sober driver recognizes the dangers of the road but continues confidently to his destination. A fearful driver becomes paralyzed, seeing disaster around every corner. Likewise, the Christian acknowledges that temptation is real, that Satan is real, and that suffering is real. Yet the Christian does not cower before them, because Christ is greater than them all.