Fear Not 220

Beloved brethren, as evening draws near and the faithful gather in quiet reverence, let us ponder the sacred words of Psalm 118: "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." These verses arose in the ancient liturgy of Israel, sung during Passover and the great feasts as a hymn of thanksgiving for deliverance from Egypt and victory over enemies. Historically, the psalm celebrates the rejected stone that becomes the cornerstone, pointing prophetically to the Messiah. In the light of Christ’s resurrection, the Early Church Fathers illumined this text with new depth. St. Augustine, in his Enarrations on the Psalms, declares this the Lord’s Day—the first day of the week when the tomb was found empty. He teaches that we rejoice not in fleeting comforts but because God has fashioned a day of salvation, transforming sorrow into eternal gladness. St. John Chrysostom echoes this in his homilies, urging the persecuted flock to sing with joy amid Roman threats, for the day belongs to the risen Lord. The Catena Aurea gathers these patristic voices, showing how the verse calls the Church to liturgical rejoicing. Early Christians, facing arenas and catacombs, kept the Lord’s Day with eucharistic thanksgiving, seeing every moment as God’s gift. Biblical context reveals Psalm 118 as the final Hallel psalm, linking Jewish hope to Christian fulfillment in the resurrection. Thus, beloved, let your hearts be glad this evening. Rejoice in the day made by the Lord, for His mercy endures forever and His victory is ours. #FearNot220 #FearNotUNPLUGGED #157of220 #Catholic

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