During this Season of Lent, we are taking a triple approach to our Lenten Journey. First, we invite everyone to commit to the traditional disciplines of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Second, one of our justice committees will offer a weekly reflection focused on different social justice concerns. This week, our Creation Justice Team is offering this reflection. Third, we will present a weekly meditation on different Christian virtues such as hospitality, Integrity, humility, clarity, unity, and strength. For the fourth week of Lent, we are focusing on the virtues of strength and courage.
Saint Damien of Molokai, a Belgian Catholic priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, is a great example of deep faith giving the strength and courage to do the nearly impossible. Known as the “Apostle to the Lepers,” he volunteered to serve the quarantined Hansen’s disease colony in Kalaupapa, Hawaii, starting in 1873. He provided medical care, built homes, and brought dignity to the community. After he contracted the disease himself in 1884, he refused to leave for treatment. He continued his work until he passed away at age 49 in 1889. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 11, 2009. Fr. Damien drew on God’s strength to find the courage needed to fulfill his mission.
The Christian Virtue of Fortitude or Strength
Fortitude or strength is one of the Cardinal Virtues, together with prudence, justice and temperance. They are the “hinge” (from the Latin cardo) for all other virtues. Rooted in Greek philosophy they were adopted by Christian theologians such as Thomas Aquinas. Fortitude ensures steadfastness in pursuing good, enabling resistance to temptation and overcoming obstacles. While the Theological Virtues of faith, hope and love are gifts from God, the Cardinal Virtues are acquired through prayer, education and hard work.
The phrase Deus, fortitudo mea (God is my strength) is a prominent biblical theme. It appears 16 times in the Book of Psalms alone. In Psalm 43:2 e.g. the psalmist’s use of this phrase can be interpreted as a prayer of deep spiritual struggle, longing for God’s presence when experiencing abandonment. It also appears elsewhere in the Hebrew Scriptures such as in Exodus 15: 2 where it is used in a song of deliverance, recognizing God as the source of victory after the Israelites safely crossed the Red See and the Egyptians were defeated.
Theologians and mystics throughout the ages have suggested that while this phrase acknowledges God as the source of one’s strength, it is at the same time a plea for God’s assistance in times of need or weakness.
Saint Teresa of Avila, e.g. emphasized that the embrace of Deus fortitudo mea (God is my strength) is the foundation of one’s spiritual life. It results in the fundamental shift from self-reliance with reliance on God alone. Her famous statement: solo Dios basta (God alone is sufficient) is rooted in this shift.
The Christian Virtue of Courage
Strength and courage go hand in hand because courage is the result of one’s total reliance on God’s strength. This virtue enables believers to stand firm in faith, acting righteously even under pressure. It is a stable, grace-filled habit of the heart that overcomes fear. It makes it possible to freely pursue God’s will, uphold truth, and endure scorn for the sake of the Gospel.
In the Book of Joshua 1:9, God told Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land commanding him: “be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” True courage therefor is not mere human bravery, but a virtue that is totally rooted in God’s strength. True courage is not just about grand, heroic acts such as in the case of martyrs. For most of us it is the ability to consistently do what is right, endure hardship, and maintain integrity in daily life. True courage allows Christians to uphold the Christian values that are often counter-cultural.
The Gospel for the fourth Sunday of Lent is The Man Born Blind. This encounter between Jesus and the unnamed man not only gives him sight, it also gives him the strength to courageously defend Jesus before the religious authorities by proclaiming his truth: “I was blind, but now I see”, even at the risk of being punished. This is a great example of Divine strength enabling human courage.
Some Suggestions to Cultivate Strength and Courage
- Deepen your relationship with God: through prioritizing prayer, reading the Bible and cultivating an awareness of God’s presence throughout the day.
- Take action in faith: through attentive listening for the promptings of the Holy Spirit, facing your fears, and engaging in small acts of courage.
- Build spiritual resilience: through focusing on Jesus, reflecting on those times when God has provided strength and patiently facing trials.
- Engage with the community in service: through surrounding yourself with wise and supportive elders, advocating for those in need, standing up for what is right and serving your church and broader community.
- Cultivate internal discipline: through practicing humility, recognizing your limitations, telling the truth, acting rightly even when it hurts, and persevering in your Christian mission.
