profiles in courage
“John had told him, ‘It is not right for you to live with her.’ ” —Matthew 14:4
Jeremiah courageously confronted his opponents: “It was the Lord Who sent me to prophesy” (Jer 26:12) and “Mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves” (Jer 26:15). Uriah prophesied the same thing to the same people as Jeremiah did (Jer 26:20). However, instead of courageously confronting his enemies, he “fled in fear to Egypt” (Jer 26:21). King Jehoiakim had him hunted down and killed (Jer 26:22-23). Courage makes a difference how you live or die. Be another Jeremiah, not a Uriah.
St. John the Baptizer courageously confronted Herod regarding his adultery (Mt 14:4). Herod lacked courage, as he was manipulated by fear of public opinion (Mt 14:5), and of what others might say (Mt 14:9). John was a martyr; Herod, a killer. Courage can be the difference between love and sin or between salvation and damnation.
Be courageous, fearless, unable to be intimidated, and free.
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to give me the courage of the first Christians and the martyrs.
Promise: “Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the Lord your God, so that the Lord will repent of the evil with which He threatens you.” —Jer 26:13
Praise: St. Peter Chrysologus was named Bishop of Ravenna, Italy, in 433 AD. “Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil,” St. Peter said, “cannot rejoice with Christ.”
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2022 through July 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 18, 2021"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.