The Fear of the Lord: A Path to Blessed Life
July 5, 2023 - Wednesday, 13th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalm 34:7-8, 10-13
Psalm 34 has been featured on our podcast several times. It is a song of praise to God for deliverance from trouble: “the poor called out to the Lord and the Lord delivered him from all his distress” (Ps 34:7). It highlights the significance of "the fear of the Lord," a concept we have previously discussed. This fear is something we need to learn, ideally from a young age: "Come, children, hear me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD" (Ps 34:12).
During my childhood, religious education was prohibited in public schools. However, those interested were permitted to learn catechism in our churches, and many children, including myself, attended. Lay female catechists, priests, and sisters were involved in imparting faith to us. The courses were tailored to our level of understanding, and during the summer, many of us participated in three-week faith camps. It was during these camps that we dedicated our lives to Jesus and asked the Lord to fill us with the Holy Spirit. I still have those two prayers written inside my small Bible, which I received from my parish priest.
The Church teaches that parents "have the right to make educational choices for their children in full freedom and according to conscience," and the State "has the duty to make different educational options available within the framework of the law" (Instruction on Catholic Education, 2022). However, what happens if this right is denied and that duty is not fulfilled? Additionally, another question arises: What if Christian parents themselves fail to teach their children the fear of the Lord?
The fear of the Lord is among the divine gifts bestowed upon the ideal king in the book of the prophet Isaiah. The prophet emphasizes that this king takes delight in "the fear of the Lord" (Is 11:2-3). Endowed with the seven gifts of the Spirit—wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, godliness, and the fear of the Lord (Is 11:2-3 LXX)—this king will administer justice and establish universal harmony among all of God's creation. The prophet concludes his idyllic vision of the future under the leadership of God's messiah with this remarkable proclamation: "They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Is 11:9).
The fear of the Lord shapes our attitudes, choices, and lifestyles. Those who fear the Lord recognize their complete dependence on God, repent of their sins, and live in obedience to His commands. Despite the prevailing philosophy that disregards God and His commands, the psalmist declares that such a life has no future. Only those who fear the Lord will experience a life of prosperity and days ahead (see Ps 34:13).