"You who fear the Lord, trust Him" (Sir 2:8). "You who fear the Lord, hope for good things" (Sir 2:9). "Has anyone persevered in His fear and been forsaken?" (Sir 2:10)
The writer of Sirach repeatedly calls us to fear the Lord, that is, to be awed in the presence of God. We received the fear of the Lord as a gift of the Spirit when we were baptized and confirmed (see Is 11:2-3). We are called to live in the fear of the Lord and make "steady progress in the fear of the Lord" (Acts 9:31). If we do, our "reward will not be lost" (Sir 2:8); we will receive "lasting joy and mercy" (Sir 2:9). "Fear of the Lord is glory and splendor, gladness and a festive crown. Fear of the Lord warms the heart, giving gladness and joy and length of days. He who fears the Lord will have a happy end; even on the day of his death he will be blessed. The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord" (Sir 1:9-12).
Pray for a reverent fear to overtake you (Acts 2:43) and for great fear to come on the whole Church (Acts 5:11). May all who attended Pentecost last Sunday be steeped in the fear of the Lord.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I tremble at Your Word (Is 66:2). |
| PROMISE: | "Trust God and He will help you; make straight your ways and hope in Him." –Sir 2:6 |
| PRAISE: | St. Christopher shouted during his martyrdom: "I forgive with all my heart those responsible for my death." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College