From today’s Scripture: “The Lord stood by Paul and said, ‘Take courage.’” —Acts 23:11

St. Thomas Aquinas pointed to courage as the virtue that enables the other virtues. I like the saying, “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” Acting with courage does not mean fear is dissolved, but that we can move ahead and do the right thing despite our fear because we are relying on God’s strength to get us through.

I can get paralyzed by perfectionism and, in our modern world of too many options, indecision. What helps me to get out of that self-centered morass is to pray a simple prayer: “Lord, show me the next right step,” “May your will be done,” or “You are my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” (Ps 27).

Let us pray: Ever-present Lord, please stand by me and give me the courage I lack. Amen.

Today’s author is Polly Duncan Collum, former parish lay missioner and now director of Glenmary’s Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.

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