Overcoming Fears

Gather everyone around and turn out the lights. Shine a flashlight under your face. It’s time for a short ghost story.

Alright everyone, gather in close. Let’s make the room dark. I’m going to grab this flashlight, hold it under my face, and tell you a ghost story.

A young husband and wife were driving home late at night after a weekend trip. Their car broke down on a lonely road, and there was no cell service. Off in the distance, they saw the light of a house. When they knocked, a kind older couple answered. The farmer offered to check the car, and his wife welcomed the young couple inside to wait.

Soon the farmer returned, saying he had fixed the car, but it might not last. It was almost midnight, so the couple invited them to stay in their guest room. Grateful and tired, the young husband and wife agreed.

At sunrise, they slipped out quietly, not wanting to disturb their hosts. They left two twenty-dollar bills under a vase on the kitchen table to say thank you. After driving a few miles, they stopped for breakfast at a diner and told the owner their story.

But the diner owner shook his head. “You must be mistaken. Nobody lives over there. The Henderson’s used to live there. They were a sweet couple. But they both died in a terrible house fire three years ago. The house is gone.”

Shaken, the young couple drove back. Sure enough, at the end of the driveway was nothing but the charred remains of a house. On the blackened table inside, under a scorched vase, lay the same two crisp twenty-dollar bills.

Turn the lights back on and give the teens a few minutes to react and talk about the story.

Okay, lights back on. Take a moment to react. Creepy, right? So here’s the question—what makes a ghost story good? Why do we actually enjoy being scared by them?

Stories like this can be exciting, but they usually leave us uneasy. Tonight, we’re going to look at a different story—Jesus’ death and resurrection. It may sound frightening at first, but unlike a ghost story, it brings hope, peace, and the promise that we don’t have to live in fear.

Read the gospel:

The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.

Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.”

And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

Luke 24:35-48 – the Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year B

Imagine for a moment what it must have been like to be one of the disciples. You had followed Jesus for years, watched Him heal the sick, raise the dead, and teach with wisdom and authority like no one else. You believed He was the one who would change everything. And then you saw Him arrested, beaten, and nailed to a cross. You saw Him die. That kind of loss is crushing. No wonder the disciples were afraid and confused. They thought everything was over.

So when Jesus appeared to them again, alive, their first thought was not joy. It was fear. They thought they were seeing a ghost. Can you imagine the mix of emotions in that moment? Hope, fear, doubt, amazement—all at once. It makes sense that they didn’t know what to believe. Ghost stories play on the idea of something being there but not really alive. But Jesus showed them He was no ghost. He spoke to them with peace. He let them touch His hands and His feet. He even ate food in front of them, something no ghost could do. He was showing them clearly: “I am alive. I am with you.”

This was more than just proving a point. Jesus was showing them that fear doesn’t win. Death doesn’t win. His resurrection is the greatest sign that God’s love is stronger than anything. Still, the disciples didn’t understand everything right away. They needed time to think and talk about what they had seen. Just like us, they had doubts. They had questions. But over time, they came to believe with their whole hearts. And that belief changed them completely. These same men who once hid in fear became brave witnesses who were ready to give up everything, even their lives, for the truth that Jesus is alive.

Now think about your own life. What are the things that make you afraid? Maybe it’s fear about the future, fear of being left out, fear of failing, or fear of losing someone you love. The disciples’ story reminds us that Jesus doesn’t leave us alone in fear. He meets us right where we are, just as He met them in that locked room. He shows us that He is alive and with us. And He gives us peace. We don’t have to face our fears by ourselves, because the risen Jesus walks with us every step of the way.

Today, Jesus is still with us in a real way. He is not far off. He is present in the Eucharist, the sacrament we receive at Mass. When you receive the Eucharist, you are receiving Jesus Himself—body and blood, soul and divinity. That means you are not just remembering Him; you are being united with Him. He gives you strength, comfort, and courage through that gift. He is also present in the other sacraments—Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation. These are not just rituals. They are real encounters with Christ, who is alive and wants to give you grace.

It’s important to remember that the disciples’ journey shows us something about faith. It doesn’t always happen instantly. They needed time to understand, and so do we. It’s normal to have doubts or questions. That doesn’t mean your faith is weak. It means you are human. What matters is that you keep seeking Jesus. You pray. You listen. You talk with others who share the faith. You let Jesus walk with you. Just as He patiently explained the Scriptures to the disciples, He patiently works in our hearts too.

The disciples’ fear turned into courage because they trusted the risen Jesus. That same transformation can happen in your life. Fear will come and go, but you don’t have to be trapped by it. With Christ by your side, you can face challenges with strength. You can bring His light into the world. This is the heart of our faith: Jesus is alive, and He is with us. That truth is bigger than any fear. And if you hold onto it, like the disciples did, it can change your life forever.

When you move into small groups, remind everyone that this is a safe space to share. Encourage them to listen to one another with respect. Nobody has to share more than they are comfortable with, but everyone should feel welcome to speak. The goal is to reflect together, ask honest questions, and encourage each other in faith.

• What are some fears or worries you face in your own life right now?
• When the disciples first saw Jesus after the resurrection, they thought He was a ghost. Why do you think fear was their first reaction?
• How do you think the disciples felt when Jesus ate food in front of them to show He was real?
• Have you ever had an experience where your fear was replaced with peace? What happened?
• The disciples needed time to process what they saw. Why is it important for us to talk about our faith and questions with others?
• Jesus is present with us today in the Eucharist and the sacraments. How does that truth help you when you feel afraid or uncertain?
• The disciples went from being afraid to being bold witnesses. How does their example encourage you to live your faith more openly?

This week, I want to challenge you to take some time each day to think about what the Resurrection really means. Jesus rose from the dead, and that changes everything. It means that fear, sin, and even death don’t have the final word. Spend just a few minutes in prayer each day, talking honestly with Jesus. Tell Him what’s on your heart. Share your worries, your hopes, and even your doubts. Don’t worry about using fancy words—just speak to Him like you would to a close friend who knows you well and cares about you deeply.

If you are carrying fear or anxiety, take a moment to imagine Jesus right beside you. Picture Him looking at you with love and saying, “Peace be with you.” Imagine Him walking with you through the hard things you face, reminding you that you are never alone. His resurrection means His presence is real, here and now. Let His peace calm your heart. Let His strength lift you up. And remember, each time you choose to trust Him, you are learning how to face fear with faith.

If possible, arrange to spend 15 minutes in Eucharistic adoration with the group. Or prayer in front of the tabernacle.

Let’s take a moment now to close our time together in prayer. I invite you to quiet your hearts and focus on the presence of Jesus with us.

Lord Jesus, we thank You for being here today. We thank You for the gift of Your resurrection, which brings us peace and courage. When we are afraid, remind us that You are alive and that You walk with us.

Lord, help us to bring our worries to You. Speak to our hearts the way You spoke to Your disciples. Fill us with Your peace so we can face each day with trust and hope.

We ask You to stay close to us this week. Guide our steps, calm our fears, and help us to share Your love with those around us. May we never forget that You are with us, now and always.

Amen.

Themes

• Resurrection brings peace: The Resurrection shows that Jesus is alive and present with us. His words “Peace be with you” remind us that faith can calm fear. This lesson points youth to trust in His living presence.
• Faith stronger than fear: The disciples were afraid until they saw Jesus alive. Their fear turned into courage when they understood the truth. We learn that faith helps us face life’s struggles with strength.
• Jesus is not a ghost: The disciples thought they saw a ghost. Jesus showed them His hands and feet and even ate with them. He is truly alive, not a shadow or memory.
• Scripture fulfilled in Christ: Jesus explained how the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms pointed to Him. His life, death, and resurrection completed God’s plan. This helps youth see the unity of scripture and salvation history.
• Power of the Eucharist: Jesus is present today in the Eucharist. Receiving His body and blood gives us courage and peace. It is a way to experience His living presence.
• Courage to witness: The disciples became bold witnesses after seeing the risen Jesus. They gave their lives to spread the good news. We are also called to share our faith with others.
• Transformation through faith: The disciples changed from frightened followers into leaders of the Church. This shows how God can change us too. Trusting Him gives us new strength.
• Hope in suffering: The cross was a moment of fear and pain, but the Resurrection turned it into victory. This teaches us that suffering does not have the last word. Jesus brings hope.

Background Material

Fear is something every person knows. It is part of being human. The Bible tells many stories of people who were afraid. The disciples were no different. After Jesus was crucified, they were filled with fear and confusion. When He appeared to them after the Resurrection, their first thought was that He was a ghost. This lesson shows us how Jesus changed their fear into peace, and how He can do the same for us.

The Gospels make it clear that the Resurrection was not a ghost story. In Luke 24:39, Jesus says, “Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” This moment is very important. It shows that Jesus truly rose in body and spirit. He was not only alive in memory or imagination. He was alive in a real way, and He still is.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it this way: “The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ” (CCC 638). The Church teaches that the Resurrection is the heart of the Christian message. Without it, our faith would not make sense. With it, we see that death is not the end, and that fear has no power over the love of God.

This connects deeply to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Jesus told His disciples He would always be with them. He keeps this promise through His real presence in the Eucharist. When we receive Holy Communion, we are not receiving a symbol. We are receiving Jesus Himself. This gives us strength and courage. It is a way that He continues to meet us in our fears today.

The disciples did not understand everything right away. They needed time to talk, to pray, and to see what God was doing. We are the same. Our faith grows slowly. Sometimes we doubt. Sometimes we fear. But Jesus is patient with us. Just as He walked with the disciples, He walks with us. Prayer, scripture, and the sacraments all help us to see Him more clearly.

The lesson of the Resurrection also shows us what it means to be a witness. The disciples went from being scared to being brave preachers of the Gospel. They faced danger and even death, but they did not give up. They knew the truth that Jesus is alive. This inspires us to live boldly. We are called to share our faith, even when it is hard.

In the end, the Catholic teaching about the Resurrection is about hope. Jesus has conquered death. He is with us always. Fear is real, but it does not control us. The risen Lord gives us peace, courage, and joy. This lesson plan helps youth discover this truth for themselves and learn to trust in the power of Christ’s resurrection.

Music Suggestions

• Do Not Fear to Hope
• What a Friend
• No Fear
• Fear Is a Liar
• Be Not Afraid
• Battle Belongs