His Unchanging Law of Love

Blessed the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commands. // Psalm 112:1

When I entered a Blessed Sacrament chapel for the first time in my life, I was trembling with fear. I asked myself, “What if that is just a piece of bread? Either it’s truly Jesus and I ought to kneel in adoration, or the people in this chapel are participating in a blasphemous form of idolatry, displeasing the one true God. There is no middle ground.” 

I turned to Jesus in silent prayer. Lord, You know my heart, that I have sincerely tried my best to obey You in everything. If this is idolatry, please keep me safe from sin. And if this is Your Real Presence, fill me with Your peace and teach me how to worship You as You desire.

God does not want us to be afraid to trust Him, yet our Responsorial Psalm today reminds us that there is also a healthy Fear of the Lord (see Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6). It’s one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit given to us at Baptism and strengthened in Confirmation. This reverent fear keeps us safely obedient to God’s commands of love.  

Imagine yourself standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, filled with awe and delight at the beauty of creation. Are you not also aware of your littleness and vulnerability? In such a scenario we know the reality of the unchanging law of gravity, so we’re careful to stay on safe footing—perfectly happy to do so. Similarly, when we fear the Lord in a healthy way, we are happy to obey His commands, knowing we are safe under His unchanging law of love.

In today’s Gospel the unjust judge has neither fear of the Lord nor respect for people, and ironically, he ends up fearing what the widow might do if he doesn’t dole out justice to her (see Luke 18:1-8).

Sister, when have you been aware of the gift of the Fear of the Lord in your own heart? Do you delight in His commands? Where is God calling you to keep on seeking justice, believing in faith that He hears your pleas?