https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100321.cfm
I quote:
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored
end quote
My quote addresses the often used Biblical term, fear the Lord. Here fear is not used to reflect dread, or terror in the face of the divine mystery. Rather we are invited to respect Our Father, as a loving parent cherising His children with unrestrained love.
Today's readings are crystal clear inviting us to remain faithful to those we love, especially during those periods when our love for another, or others is tested to near destruction. Perseverance enables us to remain patient in those moments when nothing appears to be going right. This translates into placing oneself in the position of the other person, with whom we are facing troublesome times.
Over the past eighteen months I have been approached by a score, or so married couples asking for my intervention to resolve what appears to them to be an insolvable dispute risking the end of their relationship. The pandemic has imposed its unrelenting pressure on many families to breaking point. Fear, anger, frustration, and impatience with the daily restrictions imposed by the pandemic is the predictable catalyst of the bitterness that develops between many married couples.
Most disagreements between married couples can be resolved by asking each partner to be mindful of their need to remain calm in the face of their partner's easy choice to resort to anger when life's trials appear overwhelming. There will be moments when silence is the optimum response to the unrelenting pressure of a partner way laid by life's challeging periods. Silence is not surrender, rather ones choice to absorb something of ones partner's angst, demonstrating love as the conquerer of any attempt at an ego driven angry counter response.
Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
~ Proverbs 14:29
end
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