Jesus, being Lord, has given His disciples many commands, such as:

• "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations" (Mt 28:19).
• "Come after Me and I will make you fishers of men" (Mt 4:19).
• "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch" (Lk 5:4).

Because Jesus' commands are so great, life-changing, and world-shaking, they are opposed by the world, the flesh, and the devil. Therefore, it is dangerous to obey the Lord's commands, and we naturally fear danger.

However, the Lord is our Light and our Salvation. Whom shall we fear? (Ps 27:1) Jesus says: "Do not fear those who deprive the body of life but cannot destroy the soul. Rather, fear Him Who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna" (Mt 10:28). "He who fears the Lord is never alarmed, never afraid; for the Lord is his Hope" (Sir 34:14).

Isaiah "saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne" (Is 6:1). Isaiah had a profound experience of the fear of the Lord. Consequently, he was not fearful of human dangers. Therefore, when Isaiah heard "the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?' " (Is 6:8), Isaiah responded: "Here I am!...Send me" (Is 6:8).

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of fearlessness and obedience to the Lord. Walk in the fear of the Lord (Acts 9:31).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard Walling, July 18, 2003

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 24, 2003