Love can push out of our lives the fear of human beings, the fear of pain, and the fear of death (see 1 Jn 4:18). To love, we must have faith in the Lord, for love is an expression of faith (see Gal 5:6). To have a deep faith, we need the fear of the Lord, that is, an awe of God's presence (see Prv 9:10). Thus, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of faith, love, and fearlessness. Consequently, "he who fears the Lord is never alarmed, never afraid; for the Lord is his Hope" (Sir 34:14). For example, Isaiah fearlessly volunteered to be sent by the Lord on a daunting prophetic mission because he had been overtaken (see Acts 2:43) by the fear of the Lord (Is 6:1ff).
At our Confirmations, each of our bishops or his delegate specifically prayed for us to receive the fear of the Lord (see Is 11:2-3). Therefore, we have this gift. Thus, if we deepen our fear of the Lord (see Acts 9:31), we will deepen our faith and love, and we will be fearless and free.
Renew your Confirmation. Ask for a deeper fear of the Lord — no matter what it takes. Only the God-fearing are fearless.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I be awed in Your presence. Raise up great, God-fearing, fearless men and women of God. |
| PROMISE: | "Do not be afraid of anything. You are worth more than an entire flock of sparrows. Whoever acknowledges Me before men I will acknowledge before My Father in heaven." –Mt 10:31-32 |
| PRAISE: | St. Henry was a leader of a nation who sought neither personal pleasure, power, nor wealth. His sole interest was for the greater glory of God (1 Cor 10:31) and the upbuilding of the Church. |
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