The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and he saves them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8-9 NABRE)
The following excerpts are from an article published on the Catholic News Agency website* in June 2014:
During his general audience Pope Francis spoke on the Holy Spirit’s gift of Fear of the Lord, saying it does not mean we should be afraid of God, but rather serves as a reminder to do the right thing.
“Fear of the Lord is an ‘alarm.’ When a person is not on the right path, he settles himself in evil,” ....
It “is no servile fear, but rather a joyful awareness of God’s grandeur and a grateful realization that only in him do our hearts find true peace” he continued, adding that “when the Holy Spirit lives in our heart, he instills consolation and peace in us.”
Referring to the fear of the Lord as an “alarm” that awakens us “to the presence of sin in our lives” and reminds us that one day we will “be held accountable to the just Judge,” the pontiff stated that when we start to sin, this spiritual gift can help direct the faithful back on the right path.
Today, I will take refuge in the Lord and welcome God's angel encamped around me, saving me in each moment of this present battle.
Saint Paulinus of Nola, whose life reminds us that devotion to Christ and his work is waiting to be done all around us, pray for us.
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