Coraggio!

Oh my friends, what is the meaning of "courage"?

Do we define it as "fortitude"? Does that not imply some form of enduring or surviving, rather than something proactive?

Do we define it as "bravery?" Does that not imply a strong will and a strong person, but also sometimes a brashness or lack of wisdom?

Perhaps we should use "valor," as it includes implications of honor and loyalty, which would also imply a wise application of bravery and fortitude.

But then we all know that some of the most courageous things we've ever done are the most sacrificial, and also the most humble. We all know that it is more courageous to keep our mouths shut and be ignored in the appropriate situation than it is for us to shine as the hero from time to time. We all know that it is more courageous to give someone else the victory, even in the little things, than it is for us to make a public outcry against some injustice. It is harder and more demanding to allow someone else to be given the praise that is justly due to oneself than it is to post pictures or banners about a religious or political belief.

So courage must have to do more with sacrifice and less with bravado. In fact, it is often mercy that is the most courageous of our actions, even more than the humility. Forgiving someone who really does not deserve the forgiveness, at least according to human standards, is often the most challenging act of kenosis.

Blessed Pope John Paul II was well known for a simple phrase, often spoken to youth and young adults - "Be not afraid! Corragio!"

This would also link courage to fear. If courage is not-being-afraid, that would lead to sacrifice, humility and mercy as being the remedies for fear. This, I believe, is precisely what courage truly is. A remedy for fear, in the actions of love and forgiveness. This is precisely centered in the fact that the love and forgiveness we have received from the Father, and that we continue to receive, is not merited or deserved. We are participants in a divine wisdom, a divine justice, that does not determine faults as humans do, but in a generous mercy that seems without limit. As we have received this form of compassion and acceptance, our courage is to take the same up in our daily interactions with all we meet.

We all know this is a daunting task. Specifically, this comes to mind as I prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony! I am going to vow before God and man that I will love, honor and obey one man whom I love until death parts us. (And I am SO thrilled to do that!) When we take time to ponder on how dramatic this is, it is easy to see where fear might come into play. We are sinful. We all know that our selfishness, pride, vanity, impatience, hard heartedness, misunderstanding, etc.. can lead to us injuring those we love and failing to give them the love and mercy that we should give them.

This is why we need courage! To combat the fear of human sinfulness with the truth of divine mercy! God has given us the remedy for our faults, and that is Christ and his Church. That is our participation in the Sacraments. It is before the Eucharist that we come to know what true courage is! What is more indicative of "corragio" than the welcoming we receive from God into his Church and the even more extreme gift of the very Body and Blood of Christ to the unworthy person! Of course, we strive to repent, to convert, and to live Christian lives. Yet, we are never truly worthy, not of our own accord! The Holy Spirit prepares us, and we enter into the Paschal Mystery by the grace of God.

So it is with courage. If we are to live this virtue, this habit, this lifestyle, we must first ask the Holy Spirit to ignite our hearts. We need new eyes to allow us to see with God's justice. We need new hearts to be able to suffer with and be merciful to all we meet, even those who offend us and hate us.

John Paul II called us to "corragio!" because he wanted to echo the great element of the universal call to holiness that every Christian experiences by his Baptism - humility, sacrifice and mercy. Be like the Son. Be unafraid of sin and evil, even when it threatens your very life. God's love, God's mercy, God himself is always greater, always stronger, and always the most powerful. Nothing is outside of his tender Heart. We must remain there, and learn from him the meaning of true courage.