Fear of the Lord

JMJ

While I understand that no one enters Heaven walking backwards, away from Hell, I don't hold with the following:

Pope Francis on Sunday cautioned against having a “mistaken” idea of God as harsh and punishing, saying this fear will end up paralyzing us and preventing us from doing good, rather than spreading his love and mercy.
“Fear always immobilizes and often leads us to make bad choices,” the Pope said Nov. 19. “Fear discourages us from taking the initiative, and encourages us to seek refuge in safe and guaranteed solutions, and so we end up doing nothing good.”
To go forward and grow on the path of life, he said, “we must not be afraid, but we have to trust.”
Source: EWTN

Maybe I'm splitting hairs, but fear of offending God is not a bad thing.

I did a quick search on Google - Douay-Rheims Fear of the Lord

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Book of Proverbs - Ch 1

Be not wise in thy own conceit: fear God, and depart from evil:
Book of Proverbs - Ch 3

The fear of the Lord hateth evil
Book of Proverbs - Ch 8

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content,
Book of Proverbs - Ch 15

By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
Book of Proverbs - Ch 16

The fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
Book of Proverbs - Ch 22

Let all the earth fear the Lord, and let all the inhabitants of the world be in awe of him.
Book of Psalms - Psalm 32

The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them. [9] O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in him. [10] Fear the Lord, all ye his saints: for there is no want to them ...
Book of Psalms - Psalm 33

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Book of Psalms - Psalm 110

All wisdom is from God, and is given to them that fear and love God.
Ecclesiasticus - Ch 1

Then we have the following:

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Epistle Of Saint Paul To The Hebrews - Ch 10

Still think that fear is always a bad thing?

Fear for the Pope, because if he does not fear the Lord, then he is personally in great peril and will wreak even greater havoc on the Church.

P^3

Comments

The Curious Case of Steve Skojec and the Dangers of Deep Diving into the Crisis Sub-Titled: The Failings of Others

+ JMJ It's been a while now since Steve Skojec sold 1P5 and abandoned the Catholic Faith. I've been a 'Trad' since 1982 and in those 40+ years I seen this death-spiral before with a similar end point. It seems that anyone who jumps into the fray unprepared for the enormous task of righting wrongs will, eventually, become discouraged by not the task but the people who surround them. I remember when Skojec complained of the treatment his family received from a traditional priest. This seems to have been the start of the end for him. So what can we learn from the likes of Steve Skojec, Michael Voris (maybe?), Louie Verrecchio, Gerry Matatix and other celebrity Catholics? Probably quite a lot about what not to do. First, don't burn out on the crisis? When you burn out, on work or anything else, little things assume a more greater importance than they are due. This is one of my 'canary in the coal mine' signals that I've been stretching myself too th...

Communique about Avrille Dominicans - SSPX.org

+ JMJ Having completed the review of the 'Avrille' perspective, this communique from the French District Superior is perfectly timed. I believe that the 'resistance' has lost rationality and further argumentation simply results in their holding on to their false ideal all the more firmly. Pray much ... First, for them to acquiesce to the grace of humility in order to obtain a clear perspective on the principles involved. Second, that we may remain faithful to the Church, and Her Dogmas, Doctrines and Principles. Lest we become that which against we strove ... P^3 Courtesy of SSPX.org

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3

A Reply to Martin Blackshaw’s FLAWED Remnant article titled: FLAWED: SSPX Advice on Abortion-tainted Vaccines

+ JMJ An article has appeared in the Remnant (link to article) and I am afraid that there are a number of flaws in it that need to be addressed. The author, Martin Blackshaw, believes that both the Church and the SSPX are misapplying the principle of Moral Theology called 'Cooperation In Evil'. Unfortunately, Mr. Blackshaw rests most of his arguments on citing authors that support his position, without considering the possibility that they are wrong. This highlights a key factor in this crisis: ignorance of the faith and its application . I don't am not singling out Mr. Blackshaw for this criticism, I have observed that it applies to laity and religious, superior and subject a like. No one seems immune in this enduring crisis, myself included. I further believe that this ignorance is why so many Catholics, both traditional and non, rely on their gut feeling or "Catholic conscience" for charting their way through this crisis of the faith. While...

Magisterium and Levels of Assent

+ JMJ Understanding the levels of assent to be given to the teachings of the Church is a critical success factor in walking the knife's edge during this crisis of the Church. The levels of assent are generally associated with the theological grades of certainty, which are not surprisingly mirrored by the censures for contravening the teachings of the various levels.

Tradicat

Search This Blog