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Post by Dr. Robert Gotcher on Jun 24, 2021 19:24:00 GMT
Ought we encourage ourselves and other people to “fear of God’s wrath and of judgment” and “shame for our past life”?
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Post by spaeth09 on Jun 20, 2023 1:42:19 GMT
I feel like fear of the Lord has a very negative connotation to it. I used to picture myself cowering behind a rock somewhere hiding from the wrath of God, but Bishop Baron shed a lot of light on this topic for me. One of his pillars to his Word on Fire institute is fear of the Lord, but restated instead to say something akin to: Is God placed first before everything else in your life? This restatement to me makes this gift of the Holy Spirit a lot more palpable and actionable than cowering behind a rock. I can ask myself this question over and over about all different parts of my life: Do I place God above my fitness routine, do I place God above my career, do I place God above my desire for financial freedom? It becomes a very necessary set of questions that allow me to root out pride and desire for wealth, pleasure, power, and honor in my life. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWHtzNJKPE8Shame for your past life is something I see in most "easy to get along with" people. I would say that there is something inherently distrustful about a person who can't see their past mistakes and make fun of themselves! I don't mean a back-wipping, self harming shame, but something that a person has reconciled and is there is remind him or herself that he or she is definitely not God. I think both of these virtues can be a positive thing. They can be taken too far or misunderstood, but a healthy dose of fear (putting God first in our lives), and shame (realizing we are not God) are quite important parts of being Catholic in today's society. |
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marc
New Member
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Post by marc on Jun 27, 2023 3:34:46 GMT
I think so. The relativism of today wants to push out any kind of fear or shame from our consciousness. Even fear from wrongdoing or shame from evil acts. Secularism wants to paint everything as ok and love, even plainly unnatural and evil acts like abortion, homosexuality, etc. Now I do agree and do not think it should swing so far the other way that we spend our lives hiding behind a rock as in Justin's scenario. Nor should we offer an over-compensatory approach to countering the relativism of today but simply and plainly proclaim the truth.
But even so to remove fear may remove the opportunity of repentance. To remove shame may only allow whatever cycle of sin one is caught in to repeat and repeat.
Saints often reminded people of 'the four last things' to encourage good behavior. Fear can trigger awareness, attention, and action. This action when properly oriented toward correcting the error are the starts of wisdom. See Psalm 111:10; "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; All those who follow His commandments have a good understanding; His praise endures forever."
Fear has a role in the spiritual life and in this earthly life. It may be punishment, it may be God calling us back, it may be motivating. God allows fear for a multitude of reasons, but it is not a place to stay it is meant to be overcome. See 1 John 4:18; "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love."
If we are to be ordained deacons I suspect we may have to counsel many through their fears. Whether its anxiety issues or end of life fears they exist and being able to discern the origin and type of fear will help us better counsel these people. For example, if an elderly man ignored his faith most of his life and fears hell for doing so it is important to not let him ignore his sins or spiritual condition but to encourage the sacraments and remind him of the mercy of God. Help him to see that with whatever time he has left, no matter how small, is a time of conversion and repentance. To keep him out of despair is most important when the end of life is near.
Peace.
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Post by John Schroeder on Jul 2, 2023 18:09:42 GMT
Ought we encourage ourselves and other people to “fear of God’s wrath and of judgment” and “shame for our past life”? Regarding the question: Ought we encourage ourselves and other people to “fear of God’s wrath and of judgment” and “shame for our past life”? I think it's OK to encourage myself and others to have a fear of the Lord, for as Marc mentioned in his post and happens to be a consoling thought, in Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;" The reason I say this is because I always try to consider biblical statements in the simplest positive manor so as to live them out. Psalm 111:10 is a positive thing! It's the beginning of wisdom! I hope I have a fear of the Lord to not commit any sin so as to go to God when my life ends. As the Act of Contrition states: ...I firmly resolve to ... amend my life (and /or avoid the near occasions of sin). To fear the wrath of God means that you understand what the penalty might be if you should die not in the state of grace because of a mortal (grave) sin on your soul. Avoiding sin is like a voiding placing your hand on a hot stove or even the nearness of it. If we want to avoid wrath- avoid sin. Instead, love God as the first commandment suggests and love your neighbor as yourself (the second greatest commandment). As for encouraging shame for our past life? I would say that shame is an emotion that should help prevent us from repeating our sin(s). But shame is also a common tactic used by the devil to discourage us. Anytime there might be confusion with a term I tend to look for a positive scripture verse to calm both myself and anyone who dares listen to a word I have to say!!  The scripture verse I might use comes from 1 Jn 2:28-29: "And now little children abide in Him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming... you may be sure that every one who does right is born of Him." I love 1 John Chapter 2 as I noticed how many times he addresses the faithful as children several times! The passage is personal. He encourages, not discourages in telling each to abide (stay close/remain near) in the Lord. John keeps it simple: stay close and have confidence, and do the right thing. "...you may be sure ...every one who does right is born of Him." I enjoyed reading Jean-Pierre de Caussade's Abandonment to Divine Providence, section I, Conformity to the Will of God where in 4th paragraph he encourages the faithful, "Think no more of the past but only of the present and future." Yes indeed the past is gone, sins confessed, and it's important to remain in the present, for today is our last until we wake up tomorrow. And he continues by saying, "It is a good thing to add to the accusation a more serious sin of your past life. This will cause you to make a more fervent act of contrition and dispose you to receive more abundantly the grace of the Sacrament." In other words: if shame comes use it for the good, rather than wallowing in the negative the devil tries to constantly cause you to despair. Another saint says if you should feel shame, thank God for His abundant forgiveness from the time you confessed that sin, and move on. I might add, use that memory of His abundant forgiveness to be generous in forgiveness and kindness at all times. |
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The scripture verse I might use comes from 1 Jn 2:28-29: "And now little children abide in Him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming... you may be sure that every one who does right is born of Him." I love 1 John Chapter 2 as I noticed how many times he addresses the faithful as children several times! The passage is personal. He encourages, not discourages in telling each to abide (stay close/remain near) in the Lord. John keeps it simple: stay close and have confidence, and do the right thing. "...you may be sure ...every one who does right is born of Him."