Filial and Servile Fear - Cardinal Bacci

Filial and Servile Fear

1. We should not be afraid of God, because He is our greatest benefactor and loves us infinitely. When we are lost, He searches for us as a loving father would search for a wandering son. Because they think only of the majesty and justice of God, some people keep themselves at a distance from Him, as Adam did after he had sinned. They forget that the Lord told Adam, the sinner, of the coming of the pardoning Redeemer. (Gen. 3:9) Bossuet truly observes that “after the curse which came upon men through sin there has always remained in their hearts a certain dread of the supernatural which prevents them from approaching God with confidence.” Jansenism increased this fear, emphasising the justice and majesty of God rather than the infinite love of Jesus and the beauty of His teaching.

Some writers compare our souls with the divine majesty and justice in order to stress our unworthiness, but they forget that Jesus is “meek and humble of heart,” that He forgave the penitent Magdalen, the adulteress, and the good thief, and had kind words for the lost sheep and the prodigal son. They never think of the wonderful words of the beloved disciple: “God is love.” (1 John 4:16)

This false fear of God dries up our piety, and lessens our trust in His mercy. It can lead to moroseness, to scrupulosity, and to discouragement.

We should avoid this excessive fear which separates us from God. Even though we are sinful and unworthy, we should remember that God is our loving Father, Who is always ready to help us and to grant us forgiveness. We should recall, moreover, that out of love for us He did not spare His own Son, (Cf. Rom. 8:32) but gave Him to us for our redemption. If Jesus shed His blood and died for us, how can we doubt His love?

2. It is true that the fear of God is recommended many times in Sacred Scripture, but it is filial fear which is intended, not servile fear.

Servile fear keeps us apart from God. But filial fear is akin to love and brings us closer to Him. We should desire never to offend God because we love Him, not because we fear Him. When one loves another with all one’s heart, it is nearly impossible to offend him. In this sense “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” (Prov. 1:7) and therefore of sanctity. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit which produces in us a complete and loving submission to God, our Father, and keeps us far from sin because it is displeasing to Him.

This filial fear is pleasing to God, for “he fulfils the desire of those who fear him, he hears their cry and saves them.” (Ps. 144:19)

“Love therefore,” writes St. Paul, “is the fulfilment of the law.” (Rom. 13:10) We should certainly fear God, but above all we should love Him. If we love Him, we shall be glad to keep His commandments and we shall have great spiritual peace and contentment.

3. “O Jesus, My King, my friend and the love of my soul, take possession of it. I consecrate it entirely to You. Your majesty inspires fear, but to a far greater degree Your goodness inspires love. You are my King and You shall always be my only love. If I have any fear, it will be the fear of displeasing You. O Mary, my Queen, obtain for me the grace to be faithful to my beloved King.” (St. Alphonsus de Ligouri)