The Gift of Fear

 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!     Psalm 111:10

We've spoken about the fruits of the Spirit before, those lovely signs that a person is living in the life of the Holy Spirit. During the nine day Pentecost novena we pray for a renewal of the gifts we received at Confirmation, gifts meant to enable us to live that life and produce fruit. 

But the gift of fear? Seriously? Are we meant to shake in our boots? No.

The Hebrew words used in passages such as the psalms are yir’ah or yare’, which convey reverence and respect.  The Greek word used in later texts is phobos, which can describe both dread and veneration. Basically Fear of the Lord refers to giving God his due in awe, respect, and submission.

It is the beginning of wisdom because it puts creatures in right relationship with the creator and is the foundation of reverence and love.

Give me grace O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, ‘Speak Lord for Your servant heareth.’ Amen.

Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever in reverence and awe, help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before You in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen.   

Click on the full novena prayers here.