It occurs to me that faith and fear have at least one thing in common: both are highly contagious. You and I are delicately impressionistic, vulnerable to the contagious influences around us. And our lives are formed, conditioned, shaped by the influences to which we have the most exposure. By our very natures, we pick up the vibes from the strongest people around us. If everybody else is afraid, then we are likely to be afraid, too. You have to be a strong person to keep faith if those around you are ruled by fear. The Twelve caught Jesus taking a nap as they crossed the lake in the boat. When a violent storm arose, Jesus continued to sleep. The disciples woke him, shouting, “Master, don’t you care that we’re drowning?” Jesus replied, “Why are you so frightened? What has happened to your…