Tag: fear of the Lord

• Psalm 34: Praise God

  
  

  Psalm 34: Praise God

  Tuesday, April 18, 2023

  In this Eastertide we are given so many opportunities to thank God for the goodness that surrounds us. Our hearts are called to thank the creator in times of both sorrow and joy. Together we pray in the simple words of Psalm 34 in italics, and to reflect with thoughts from the St. Joseph Psalter in bold.  We might be troubled when we read from the Old Testament and see the expression fear of the Lord. A wise person once said to me: “Each time we hear or see the word fear in connection with God, we need to replace it with the word love. This will tell us all we need to know about God. So today we are invited to read this psalm replacing the word fear with the word love. Then we will see experience just how much God loves us, and how much we ought to praise God.

  Magnify the Lord with me.

  God surrounds the righteous and the poor to deliver them from anguish. 

  Today we give thanks for the days and nights when Jesus suffers and celebrates with us.

  The angel of the Lord, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God.

  The poorest of the poor and the wisest of sages is Jesus Christ.

  Today we give thanks for the Spirit who accompanies us as we sow and harvest.

  Come, children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

  To gain wisdom entails two things: fearing the Lord and doing God’s will. 

  Today we give thanks for the Creator who loves us so deeply that no obstacle that will keep us from this immense mercy and love.

  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.

  When we want to know how much God loves us, we only need open our hearts to the love that yearns to replace our fear.

  Come, children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord . . . I will teach you the love of the Lord.

  Amen.

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  THE PSALMS, NEW CATHOLIC VERSION. Saint Joseph Edition. New Jersey: Catholic Book Publishing Company, 2004. 93. Print.

  Images from: http://thepreachersword.com/2013/04/28/seven-reasons-why-we- and http://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/praising-god.html

  praise-god/Adapted from a reflection written on April 3, 2008.

  If there is time today, use this concordance link to search the number of times we hear both Yahweh and Jesus tell us, “Do not be afraid”: https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=do+not+be+afraid&qs_version=NABRE 

   

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  April 18, 2023

  fear of the Lord, from fear to love

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• John 14:26-27: Prayer for Understanding

  
  

  Tuesday, March 16, 2021

  John 14:26-27

  Prayer for Understanding

  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  (John 14:26-27)

  We crave to be heard and understood yet all the while God’s counsel is before us. As we continue our Lenten journey with the prophet Amos, let us listen for the wisdom sent to us on the wings of the Spirit.

  First Word: Put away black-and-white thinking. May we learn to see both sides of every story, listen to both hearts in every argument. Holy Spirit, bring us your counsel.

  Second Word: Step away from corruption and nepotism. May we have the courage grapple with dishonesty in ourselves and others. Holy Spirit, bring us your fortitude.

  Third Word: Be open to transformation and redemption. May we be open to the healing presence of God. Holy Spirit, nurture in us a loving awe of the Lord.

  First Woe: Be wary of the ease with which violence creeps into our lives. May we grow to understand how violence insinuates itself into our lives. Holy Spirit, send us deep and lasting wisdom.

  Second Woe: Be prepared for deep mourning that threatens to drag us into darkness. May we grow in faithfulness and devotion to God. Holy Spirit, instill in us fidelity and piety.

  Third Woe: Turn away from your worship of little gods and turn toward the Living God. May we grow in our awareness of false teachers and preachers. Holy Spirit, engender in us deep knowledge of God’s ways.

  We crave to be heard and understood; let us listen for God’s Word . . . and let us ask for understanding of the world’s Woes. Let us give thanks to God’s prophet Amos who speaks to us today.  As we continue our Lenten journey, let us pause to listen . . . to reflect . . . and to pray, in Jesus’s name, and in unity with the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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  For more information and images of the Holy Spirit, click on the images above.

  For more on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, including a link to a more in-depth discussion, go to: http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/f/FAQ_Gifts_HS.htm  

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  March 16, 2021

  awe of the Lord, counsel, fear of the Lord, fortitude, gifts of the Holy Spirit, knowledge, piety, understanding, wisdom, woe

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• Psalm 119:113-120: Samekh

  
  

  Tuesday, February 2, 2021

  Psalm 119:113-120

  Samekh

  In your word I hope . . . strengthen me that I might be safe . . . I hold your edicts in awe . . .

  Fear of the Lord does not describe terror, dread or anxiety; it does, however, express the sense of wonder, amazement and awe we feel when we think about the guiding presence and protective power of God.

  God says: There is no need for you to hide from me. There is no need for you to worry about reporting to me in any way. There is no need for you to live with a sense of trepidation that I might castigate you . . . you punish yourself enough already. I know about your fears and they are groundless. I am with you always and I know all that you think, say and do. I am in awe of your persistence, love and dedication to me. I love the generosity, tenderness and care you bring to your work as you come to the aid of the marginalized. Persist in bringing me your hopes and dreams. Delight in the strength I bring to you. Revel in the safety of my arms and continue to live and work in me.

  With God all things are possible. God is our rock of safety.

  Jesus says: Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.  (Matthew 7:24-25)

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  For a view of a calligraphy version of the Hebrew alphabet, click on the image above or go to: http://www.hebrewcalligraphy.net/letters-of-my-being/

  For a History of Hebrew Calligraphy, go to: http://www.hebrewcalligraphy.net/history-of-hebrew-calligraphy-qeiyafa-ostracon/

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  February 2, 2021

  anxiety, dedication, fear of the Lord, Hebrew alphabet, hope, love, Matthew 7:24-25, persistence, rock of safety

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• Psalm 86:11: God’s Way

  
  

  Psalm 86:11: God’s Way

  Saturday, July 6. 2019

  Psalm 86:11 – Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; knit my heart to you that I may fear your name. 

  A good friend once said to me that when she reads the word fear in the Old Testament in reference to our relationship with God, that she substitutes the word love.  This makes so much sense when we know who God is.

  God says: Those who seek my way also seek a certain truth about themselves, a truth which only I can share with them since I am the goodness that creates all of and all that surrounds you.  It beings me joy to feel your yearning to know me and to walk in my ways.  I give this joy back to you that you might live life to the fullest.  Do not fret about the problems that beset you now.  They are only the pebbles at the bottom of the stream bed over which you flow with me.  Take heart, and continue to follow me, for with me you will find only goodness and mercy and peace.  All else falls away. 

  Click a category on the Category cloud to the right and see what unfolds before you.

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  A re-post from June 22, 2012.

  Image from: http://newtheologicalmovement.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-jesus-is-way-and-how-he-is-truth.html

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  July 6, 2019

  fear of the Lord, Psalm 86:11

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