Beautiful Courage

It is quite interesting to be reading two biographies in tandum. I continue to read about Fr. Peter DeSmet among his Indians. And I also continue to read about Gerard Manley Hopkins and his life in mid 1860's Oxford. These men could not be more different. In temperament, in surroundings, in intellect. But I have been learning a thing or two about courage from each of them.

Courage, they say, is facing danger or fear, and not running. I think many times we equate courage with physical fear. The burnings at the stake, crucifixions, all the martyrdoms down through the ages. And we stand in awe of those.

But there is the courage that slogs and slogs, over time, and does not stop slogging until the end is reached. It's the long haul courage. Peter DeSmet and Gerard Manley Hopkins had this kind of courage in spades. It is a courage that is born the day one says to oneself in absolute fear, "I really cannot do this by myself. I will not succeed. I absolutely cannot do this with my own strength". And we don't run away. We call humbly upon the strength of God.

Hopkins had to wake up every morning and face constant and strong temptations to lust, contant waves of temptation that mercilessly assailed him and which he feared and hated. Fr. DeSmet had to wake up to a people who were so other than himself, and figure out a way each day to bring them the love of Jesus and teach them under squalid and impossible conditions . He feared his loneliness and every day had to commit to not running home. They both faced these fears. It was difficult and depressing and humiliating perhaps, but HERE is where the courage shown so brightly for me. They did not give up.

So, all those people who have to wake up and face their alcoholism, or addictions of any kind. All those introverted moms who love quiet and order who have to get up every morning and face the cacophony of needy children around a breakfast table, who need to create order and calm there when they would rather run and hide under the bed with a book of Keats. Courage. Dads who worry constantly about money and supporting their kids, but keep their trust in God daily. Courage. Single moms. Courage. Sanguine butterflies who suddenly come up to a wall in prayer and must hang in there without any joy or consolation, but make themselves pray to their dear friend and know that He is leading them and holding them. Courage. Lots of courage in the world. We just need to look around. And marvel. 

Courage. It's everywhere. It flames in martyrdom. But it also slogs in perseverance. Either way, it is a sign that God is with us. For alone we could not do such things. Blessed be He.