True Courage

Archbishop Fulton Sheen was very inspired by the following story. When the communists took over China, they imprisoned a priest in his rectory near his church. After they locked him up, the communists went into the church. In the sanctuary, they broke into the tabernacle, pulled out the ciborium, and threw it on the floor. The consecrated hosts spilled out. There were thirty-two hosts scattered on the sanctuary floor.  

When the communists left, they did not notice, or did not pay attention to, an eleven year old Chinese girl praying at the back of the church. She saw everything that happened. That night the girl came back and quietly, because she did not want to wake the guard, went into the church. She remained in prayer for an hour, because she wanted to make an act of love in reparation for the act of hate shown to Jesus in the Eucharist. After her prayer, she went into the sanctuary, knelt down, bent over and with her tongue received Jesus in Holy Communion. (People did not receive the sacred host in their hands at this time.) 

She quietly prayed and received communion each night for thirty-two nights. On the thirty second night, after she had consumed the last host, she accidentally made a noise that woke the sleeping guard. He ran after her, caught her, and beat her to death with the butt of his rifle. Her martyrdom was witnessed by the grief stricken parish priest still held captive in his rectory.  

This frail young girl gave a courageous witness to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. She showed genuine valor, authentic zeal, and extraordinary courage. She exemplified how faith can overcome fear and how love for Jesus in the Eucharist transcends life itself. Her Christian courage was true, born of her love for God. True courage strengthens our identity as Christians as it initiates change directed toward God centered goodness, beauty, truth and wisdom. Change comes in the forms of actions, behaviors, products, and other improvements that manifest God’s love in today’s world.

The guard’s murderous action was horrific. Who in their right mind would kill a defenseless human being? False courage corrupts the meaning of the word courage. It is warped and distorted since it is the force behind anything that diminishes or destroys the dignity and sanctity of life. False courage can affect masses of people and can spread evil and destruction anywhere. However, if we believe that we are created in the image and likeness of God, and make decisions that require the most courage, we will not be influenced by false courage. True courage can be contagious. When we take a stand, it can strengthen others. They see we have the courage not to bow or buckle to outside pressures, but live what we believe inside our hearts.

True courage is the push we need that takes a good idea and acts on it for the benefit of God’s people. We stand up and face demeaning issues instead of sitting and moping about them. True courage, like holiness, has no comfort zone. We go forward or slide backward on the holiness trail. The way we manage life’s circumstances reveals our level of holiness. Courage is a prime mover in holiness advancement. Thinking about God and our eternal destination puts every task, and unexpected event, in the right perspective. Living our Catholic faith is counter cultural and courage is necessary for survival. If we do not live what we believe, we darken our souls. In doing so we lose the ability to think rightly and therefore depart from God’s truth. Living in God’s truth helps us to find and live our true selves. Truth keeps us conscious of the presence of God in our days. 

What can we do to maintain true courage when trying to turn an idea into a reality? Here are a few suggestions: Maintain a sound Christian identity. Let the love of God be the major motivator for idea development. Wait until excessive enthusiasm calms down. It can cause high emotion and override common sense. Practical enthusiasm includes good judgment, patience, and wisdom. Avoid taking off like a one manned rocket by doing everything in a micromanagement mode. Trying to control everything is not healthy. Collaboration with good people is the key. Accept the suggestions and advice of others whom you trust. Keep a light grasp on the idea. If it works, that is good. If it does not work, devastation is replaced by a quiet voice that says, “I will try again.” Set boundaries on energy to avoid overload or burnout. Avoid people who have a negative orientation so as not to be worn down or defeated by other people. Remember God is working in the mess. And, when someone we know accomplishes something good, we let them know that we are proud of them.

The Importance of Moral Fiber

What we think about ourselves shapes how we live.  Living what is good and true takes moral fiber. Moral fiber is a result of searching for, finding, and disseminating truth by example. It is also the ability to make reasoned judgments and create positive conversations. Hopefully our moral fiber will encourage others toward what is good and true. G. K. Chesterton noted, “The Catholic Church is the only thing which saves a man from the degrading slavery of being a child of his age.” Today, there is no voice that defends authentic human freedom and human dignity more than the Catholic Church.

To be a Catholic Christian is an adventure. We may be the lone voice of Christian morals and ethics in a crowd that focuses on self gratification. When we meet disagreeable people we neither throw up our hands in desolation, nor ignore their thorny issues. Rather, we treat them kindly and explain gently. Discussing a problem or disagreement pleasantly is an art form. Blessed is a person who can disagree without being disagreeable. And we remember honest praise is more effective than criticism. Therefore, we hold our tongue when we feel like snapping or being verbally abusive and try to find good in a bad situation. We keep in mind that a simple word of encouragement can inspire others to do something good, increase their hope, or help them overcome fear and uncertainties. At times all we need is to hear a word of encouragement regarding deciding to do something big or small. It can be as major as entering a seminary or religious life, as moderate as choosing a class for an elective in college, or as minor as what to eat for dinner. Encouragement is a forward moving word that can decrease fear.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained is a positive thought when we feel overwhelmed by fear. If risk is not taken, there is no chance of benefit. Sensible risk decisions increase growth through positive changes, better living, and deeper loving. If we challenge something, we will not spend time regretting not saying what we should have said. So we clearly say what needs to be said when the opportunity presents itself. We stick with the facts rather than sugarcoat difficulties or rely on emotional drama. The important thing is to assertively step forward. Because it is a defeater of fear, a sound step forward is knowledge. If we understand something that we are afraid of, the fear diminishes. Anticipated fright can be more imagined than real fright. A neophyte would have more fear about an ocean trip than an old sea hand.

A ship in a harbor is safe, but ships were not built to stay there. Like a captain on a ship at sea our courage is not devoid of fear, but rather we maintain control over it. Mark Twain wrote, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” A ship’s captain is helped through turbulent seas by the distant glow of lighthouses that safely guide ships at sea. Courage is a learned choice that helps our eyes stay on that distant small spark of light no matter how dark and stormy life is around us. Over time, and with an openness to grace and small courageous steps, the negative darkness fades, and the light breaks through with positive things that can be far beyond our expectations. Trials can hone us into an altogether different person. At first, we may whine and wail about the things that happen to us. But later we may find that we can use trials to help others in similar situations. Winston Churchill urges us forward, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” 

The premier example of courage is Mary. She lived the will of God for her without hesitation, question, or fear. She, the mother of God and mother of us all, is the premier example of courage. We learn courage as we stand next to Mary at the foot of the cross. In her profound sorrow, experienced by no other woman, she accepted the challenge to be mother to all humankind. When Simeon, saintly old man in the temple, told her a sword would pierce her heart, she did not flinch. She forgave those who took part in the murder of her son without reserve. In our dark nights of faith, she leads us with her lantern of light. When we are afraid, she takes us by our frightened shaky hand and guides us to Jesus. She moves us beyond our own wants and infuses in us the desire of great holiness. With her we are drawn through the obscurity of faith when things do not make sense to transformation by faith that calms and heals. Mary always points us toward her son. Her light illumines our soul and encourages us to move nearer to Jesus.

Our Lady of Courage, pray for us.