At the last SFC Household we had, the topic was courage. Oftentimes, the defining thing about courage for me had been being able to do something beyond the fears I carried. But upon learning that the gift of courage goes much deeper than that, I’ve personally taken the time this week to pray for guidance on going beyond the surface of this gift. “Be careful what you pray for…”
This week has personally hard for me, which I’m starting to think is going to continue for the rest of my life. But it is in this understanding that I rejoice because in understanding this reality, I also understand that my life is meant to answer this specific prayer… TO CONSTANTLY GROW IN COURAGE.
Courage goes beyond the physical. It is A GIFT that is as much internal as it is external.
Emotions…
Spiritual learnings/ experiences…
Personal encounters…
Callings of service…
Facing all sorts of fears (and then acting beyond them)…
I have been so heavily challenged in these in the past few weeks and there have been points where I’ve had to sit back for a few seconds and just process these things in the moment. But it is in these times that our actions determine our courageousness. Praise the Lord for being the Guiding Hand and my greatest Provider in the mission, for it is through Him I have found the greatest Consolation. And NO, the consolation is NOT A SOLUTION. It is in True Courage.
I am learning that COURAGE GROWS IN OUR HEARTS WITH GOD. COURAGE GROWS IN LOVE. It is being able to pray for serenity to accept the things I can’t change (whether it is the way people are or a specific event or task), the fortitude to change the things I can, and praying for the wisdom to know the difference. It is being able to allow God to work through my own self-awareness, conscience, imagination, and agreeing to act with my own independent will. It is being able to accept my emotions (in whichever way they come), but not allowing them to define my actions; it is prudence of heart and of mind to acknowledge them and act solely upon the will and call of the Lord. Courage is serving with faith, hope and charity, and acknowledging with prayer that I will always be called to grow deeper in all of this.
True Courage is the willingness to freely sacrifice with the sole purpose of growing in the faith, hope and charity in the Lord.
When I was walking back to the bus stop to head home after the morning Mass, I began take note of how many Franciscan crosses and symbols I have seen in the past few weeks. It’s funny because in the past month and a bit that I’ve been here in Israel, I’ve never really noticed how prominent the Franciscans are here… until now. And it is now, through this, that I realize that this whole time, God has been my Consolation and has been calling me to let Him be the source of Courage in my life. I chuckled a little and breathed out a sigh of relief as I began to recall the infamous song and prayer of St. Francis… Courage had been written all over it, and in courage, I find peace…
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness only light,
And where there’s sadness ever joy.
Oh Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console.
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
In giving of ourselves that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
In this reminder, Lord, I pray that You continue to not only affirm me in my YES, but to remind me of all the things that come along with it – ultimately, the true privilege to serve with true peace, love, and joy. May You continue to graciously lead me to grow in virtue and to live every moment with a grateful heart. May You stand as the example of true mission – to allow myself to be used to exemplify Your love and service in a constant journey of conversion (in my life as much as theirs)… Lord, please protect the call for mission in my life, and to wherever else it may be leading me.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Amen.
TOTUS TUUS.