Shock and Awe ... and Perseverance    

By Norm McGraw

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111321.cfm
Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9
Luke 18:1-8

Fear of the Lord. 

When I was a child, I reacted to these words with trepidation, as if God had a bit of the boogeyman in Him. A friend of mine remarked that his childhood memories of reading the Old Testament left him with the impression that God was frequently pissed off with humanity.

Funny, though. According to the official Catholic Church Catechism, “fear of the Lord” is described as one of the “seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Mmm.

Why do I bring this subject up? Because the two readings today, along with the responsorial hymn, deal directly, or indirectly with “fear of the Lord.”

The first reading is from the book Wisdom of Solomon (Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9). This section deals with the Israelite exodus from the Egypt of the Pharaohs. It details the consequence of Pharaoh’s rejection of the word of God — the death of Egyptian firstborn. 

In verses 15 to 16, Solomon says, “Your all-powerful word, from heaven’s royal throne bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land, bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree. And, as he alighted, he filled every place with death; he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth.”

Seems like an angry God, right? But wait a minute. 

Earlier in the Book of Wisdom, there are examples that indicate these consequences are a direct result of human folly. Wisdom 12:23 says, “Therefore, those who in folly of life lived unrighteously, you tormented through their own abominations.” Then, in Wisdom 13, Solomon says, “For all men who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature; and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know him who exists.”

Still later in the chapter, Wisdom focuses on man’s foolishness in worshiping idols: “For health, he appeals to a thing that is weak; for life he prays to a thing that is dead.”

When we think that God as angry at us, maybe we’re really angry at facing the consequences that occur when we don’t follow God’s plan.

When we believe in Him and follow His Word, good things happen — like the parting of the Red Sea for the Israelite exodus from Egypt. Again, Wisdom 19:8 — “Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand, after they beheld stupendous wonders.”

Perhaps it would be better to view “fear of the Lord” as “shock and awe.”

The latter phrase fits quite well with a line in the responsorial psalm today — “Remember the marvels the Lord has done!”

The second reading, from the Gospel of Luke (18:1-9) also deals, though indirectly, with “shock and awe.” In this chapter, Jesus relates a parable of a judge who respects neither God nor man. But, due to a persistent widow, constantly needling the judge to render a decision, he relents. After concluding the parable, Jesus explains the power of God protects the faithful: “Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?”

The character of the widow in the parable also exhibits another quality we should include in our faith — perseverance. A premier example of someone with this characteristic was Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini. Perhaps not by coincidence, the Church celebrates her canonization this week.

Mother Cabrini help found the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1880. She arrived in the United States, in New York City, in 1889. Although she was beset with many difficulties, she founded scores of missionary and medical institutions for the sick and poor, long before government agencies provided such care.

If we are persistent in listening to and following God’s plan for us, daily, then our lives will be that much better.

We may never experience the shock and awe of viewing the parting of the Red Sea.

But, in our everyday lives when we follow God’s plan, we will be better.