Deepening Our Union With God 10042010

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom Prudent are all who live by it Psalm 111:10 AREN’T WE SUPPOSED TO have gotten past fear-motivated worship and Punishment-avoidance spirituality? Didn’t God-as-Big-Brother step aside for God-as-Loving-Father? But is it not “fear of the Lord” Still one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we receive at our Baptism Affirm in our Confirmation? Jewish and Christian scholars alike have wrestled with the Hebrew phrase Yirah Adonai Offering varied and rich commentaries Recurrent among the interpretations “Fear of the Lord” Means “awe and reverence” As in this context “Fear” Can also refer to what we feel when we love someone Deeply that we would do anything in the world not to hurt him or her Or damage our relationship with love-ones Taken together Both meanings offer us profound Wisdom towards growing each day in Ever-deepening our union with God