First Day: The Gift of Fear of the Lord
Intention: For justice in our nation and Church,
Leader: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
Response: And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Leader: Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
Response: And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Leader: “Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.” Whenever Scripture
speaks of the fear of the Lord, we notice that it never mentions it on its own, as if fear could, by
itself, bring our faith to perfection. But of the true fear of the Lord we read: “Come, listen to me, I
will teach you the fear of the Lord.” The fear of God, then, is something to be learned, because
it is taught. Its origins are found by way of teaching and not in fright. We find it in obeying the
commandments, in doing the good deeds of a blameless life, in coming to know the truth and
not in moments of human terror. All our fear of God is inspired and perfected by love. By the gift
of the Holy Spirit, may we be overwhelmed by the greatness and goodness of God and avoid all
sin and attachment to created things, so that each of us may be a living sign of the gospel for all
people to see.
Leader: Let us pray.
All: Heavenly Father, from the beginning of time you have prepared the way of salvation
for the human race wounded by sin and death. Through your inspired word, you have
taught that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” By the gift of the Holy Spirit
may we walk always along the path you have revealed, following your counsels,
conforming ourselves to your commands and trusting your promises as heralds of a new
Pentecost. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
Leader: Mary, Temple of the Holy Spirit,
Response: Pray for us.