The Root of Jesse, Day 8

The baby shall play by the viper’s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.

Isaiah 11:8

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No Fear on Mount Zion

In the New Jerusalem, fear will have no corner to lurk where there is no night and no darkness (Revelation 21:25). Restored to wholeness, the saints on Mount Zion reign with Christ in trust and tranquility. Those in whom Christ is victorious cannot be harmed by the serpent’s sting (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

Saints in the Viper’s Den

Although external harms continually beset us in the fallen world, even in this life, the faithful remain interiorly steadfast and charitable “by the viper’s den.” No one and nothing can force another to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). Christian martyrs and survivors of Auschwitz and the Russian gulags have demonstrated the possibility of remaining in the peace of God while captive in the “adder’s lair.” 

“Fervent prayers and hymns to the Blessed Virgin resounded throughout the dungeon. I felt like I was in church. Father Maximilian Kolbe led the prayers and all the others gave the response.  Sometimes they were so engrossed in prayer that they did not notice the approach of the guards for the routine visit… When all were lying on the floor, one would see on every visit Father Maximilian Kolbe on his feet or on his knees in their midst, peacefully watching for the approach of the guards. The guards knew he had offered to die, and they knew all those who were with him were dying innocently. Therefore, they felt respect for Father Kolbe and said to one another: ‘That priest is certainly a good man. We have not had anyone here like him up to now.’”

Testimony of Bruno Borgowiec, a Polish prisoner and interpreter in the dungeon

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.

1 John 4:18a (RSV)