GOSPEL MATTERS: “The Crown of Courage”
By Dr Christine Wood, Director of the Office of Evangelisation & Catechesis
Faith without courage, like a bird with one wing, fails to soar to heaven. The word courage comes from the Latin, “cor”, meaning “heart”. The virtue of courage directs our hearts to seek the good despite significant obstacles.
The Catechism says that courage “ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life.”
Courage both presupposes our fear of difficulties and dangers, while also opposing disordered fear.
It’s right that we fear dangers, but it’s wrong always to flee from them, for sometimes we need to oppose them steadfastly.
Think of St Thomas More as the wave of state power overwhelmed him. He held fast to Christ’s teaching on the indissolubility of marriage, and was ever faithful to Christ’s Church. His courage won him the crown of everlasting life.
The opposition towards an open practice of Christianity will rise as Australia becomes more secular. Tolerance of Christianity will be replaced with opposition to it.
What are faithful Christians to do in this emerging paradigm? What is needed in the moral amour of God’s children?
St Paul says, “Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
St Maria Goretti held fast to her beloved Saviour Jesus Christ in opposing the vicious attacks of a lascivious predator. Her chastity and modesty were beautiful gifts that she longed to give to Jesus.
They would not be taken from her. By her courage, she was found worthy to hear Jesus’ words, “Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.”
St Gianna Molla heroically won the crown of victory as she confronted the culture of death. She refused medical advice to have a hysterectomy to remove a uterine tumour during pregnancy, which would have resulted in the death of her unborn child.
As a doctor, Gianna knew the risks to herself and her child, yet she courageously chose to wait until after the child’s birth to undergo treatment. She died soon after bringing her daughter into the world.
As we enter this Lenten season, perhaps we could reflect on our own courage, or lack thereof, and ask the Lord to strengthen us for our coming spiritual battles.