“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
The reality of that statement
strikes a chord in my heart each time I read it. Who or what are we (am I) if
we (I) don’t stand up and speak out about those things that matter? We are not
called to be people of the shadows, but people of the light. Light pierces
darkness with power and precision, overwhelming it with energy, strength, and
presence. We are called to be the light to the world, a lamp on a stand, a city
on a hill that all can see (Mark 4:21-25). We are called to be a beacon of
hope for the world to see, filled with faith, hope, and love for God and
neighbor. What that looks like for each person may be different, but what is
required of each if firstly one virtue and that is courage (a.k.a. fortitude).
“Fortitude is the moral virtue that 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. The virtue of fortitude enables
one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions.” Catechism of the
Catholic Church paragraph 1808 Fortitude is a human virtue that is developed by perfection of the
intellect and habitual choices made toward proper practices. One man in the 20th
century who publically practiced this virtue was named Martin Luther King Jr.
(whose quote is above). He understood the power of courage (fortitude) and how
it was a choice a man (or woman) makes in his (or her) heart for the love of
God, his neighbor and out of proper self-love. The act of courage helps us to
become our true selves and who God created us to be, magnanimous, strong,
powerful, loving, humble, peaceful, kind, and with servants hearts.
Martin Luther King though he was
a man of strength and power, like Christ, he was also a man of peace. We are
called to take part in his example (also the example of Christ) and stand up
for what is true, good, and beautiful in a world that desires to distort or
destroy it. For this is how we truly live our lives and not be conquered by
fear and despair. Fear and despair can be powerful agents in the world and have
a lot of sway on our hearts if we let them, but one key that has helped me to
take courage is to keep my eyes on Christ and to follow his example of Love. He
is the source of all goodness, truth, and beauty in the world, and the infinite
source of Love from which we draw all our strength.
Taking up courage may mean that
we are ultimately taking up our cross. It may even mean that we are yoking
ourselves to it, even unto death. But our hope is in Christ Jesus as we
remember who we are also yoked to, and that is Jesus himself. “My yoke is easy
and my burden is light” says the Lord (Matthew 11:30). Our yokes are “easy” in
that it fits us in a way that is personalized, and my burden is light, not
because it is of small importance or little stature, but because of who is
truly carrying the weight – Christ.
Those trials and tribulations we suffer for our courage are bonded to
the sufferings and sacrifice of Christ which make them redemptive. Those sufferings we endure
are the down payment of love for the joy and peace of those around us and those
who will come after us.
We should “rejoice in our
sufferings” as Saint Paul says both for our own sakes and for sakes of those we
love in Christ (Romans 5:3-5, Colossians 1:24). Our suffering is truly what
will bring about the salvation of the world that all might rejoice and be glad.
Christ came not that we might be free of suffering, but so our
suffering would have purpose.
Martin Luther King Jr. is an
excellent example of Christ’s words. The suffering he endured for the injustice
of those being wrongly persecuted cost him social dislike, rejection,
discomfort, physical hardship, and ultimately his life. But through his courageous actions and sufferings
united to Christ came the redemption of a people who were literally once slaves
and now are free.
Slavery still exists
in a variety of forms today, whether it is addiction to lust, pleasure, pride,
comfort, or selfishness. However, we are called to fight not just slavery but
other ailments in the world like prostitution, sex trafficking, poverty,
pornography, abortion, the devaluation of the sanctity of marriage, human
dignity (euthanasia), or maybe things a little less visible like loneliness, unworthiness,
despair, feeling unloved (particularly in the home), or any of the other
struggles of daily life. We are called to be lights in the darkness, lamps to
others’ feet, always to bring ourselves and others to a greater understanding
and participation in truth and love – doing so with gentleness, reverence, and
strength (1 Peter 3:15). This may cost us our comfort, time, talent, or
treasure, but it is ultimately the only path worth walking. I’ll end with
another quote from a man of courage in times not much different than our own.
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
In
Christ,
Matt
Below
is an upcoming event sponsored by Life Choices and features the niece of Martin
Luther King Jr.
Tickets On Sale
Life Choices Annual
Event
Featured Speaker: Dr. Alveda King
Niece of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr.
Exclusive featured
Screening of the new pro-life short film Sing a Little Louder
Don't miss this rare
privilege to hear
such a historic civil
rights warrior.
March 26, 2015 @ 7 pm
St. Michael's Holy Family
Center Poway, CA
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