Sr. Kathy Brazda’s Reflection on Courage
This Lent, I have been praying a lot about courage. We usually think of courage as doing something publicly… under difficult circumstances that often leads to public acclaim. We see that kind of courage in the words and actions of Ukranian president Zelinski or in the testimony of supreme court nominee Ketanji Brown or the prayers of Pope Francis imploring us to peace. In this time of distress, violence, and fear, many are rising up with courage to confront evil and injustice.
Last week, I was with Catholic Mobilizing Network on a pilgrimage to Selma and Montgomery Alabama and again I heard stories of courage: of those who fought and many who died in the quest for civil rights. One poignant moment was walking the Edmund Pettus Bridge, remembering John Lewis, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and others, who knew once they crossed into Montgomery, they would be met with resistance and violence. As I walked, noticing the muddy waters below and the wind whispering through the trees, I wondered what secrets the land held at that spot. And I held in my heart both the pain & the struggle as well as the hope & the courage of that time… of our time. For we are all called to courage.
The word courage comes from Old French, the word corage… meaning heart and inner most feeling. The poet David Whyte says, “Courage is the measure of our heartfelt participation in life Courage is making conscious those things we already feel deeply and then to live through the unending vulnerabilities of those consequences.“ Courage is about living consciously… knowing what moves us… what we care about… what we love. And accepting the vulnerability that love evokes in us.
When we allow ourselves to feel deeply about some cause, some person, some value, some belief our hearts are moved to action – to loving - and in loving, we become vulnerable and as Saint Paul says, “a new creation… the very righteousness of God.”
The Father and younger son in our Gospel reading of the prodigal demonstrate that kind of courage… courage evoked when we deeply care and deeply love. Courage which makes us vulnerable when we follow our hearts.
I can imagine the younger son becoming conscious of his desire of independence and freedom and seeking out on his own, a common journey for many. Though his choices are questionable, he had the courage to admit his mistakes. He knew in his heart that he could go home and seek forgiveness from his father. So, he followed his heart and took the risk, not knowing what would happen. And in his father’s abundant love, he was forgiven and celebrated, becoming a new creation.
Do we have the courage to admit mistakes and failures… to seek forgiveness… to accept our vulnerabilities… and to go home… go to a place where we are loved? Do we offer to others that loving place of home?
The father knew where his heart was. His wayward son was met with abundant love, forgiveness and compassion and a celebration of welcome to rejoice because the one who was lost was found. Are our hearts courageous enough to forgive? To receive those who might have hurt us with abundant love and even celebration? Are we vulnerable enough to receive the regrets of another or even our own regrets?
As we approach this Eucharistic table, may our hearts be open to receive the grace of courage, to live consciously, vulnerably, and compassionately. May we be open to being transformed into a new creation, rooted in God’s love and promise.
Sr. Kathy Brazda, CSJ