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Do you ever long for courage?

Do you ever wish you had more courage for things that mattered?

Wholeness requires courage.

For us to be whole as individuals and as a community,we need to sometimes be brave.

Just sitting on our hands and remaining silent is not enough,

And we realize that part of ourselves is missing.

Sometimes you have to stand up and speak out.

This can be scary and may not be comfortable.

Can you think of a time when you needed to have courage?

Now normally,

I’m not a very courageous person, 

I prefer to sit in my room and let other people deal with the conflicts or issues. I can very easily rationalize and say: “well that’s not my problem, that’s someone else’s issue”

I often shrug my shoulders, mutter “it is what it is”, ignore the problem and get on with my life.

But last year, I summoned up courage to do something I’ve never done before.

I got involved in a protest.

The issue was the Pride Flag Ban proposal in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.

I got angry that only one particular Christian viewpoint on the issue was being represented, and I said to myself: I really need to stand up with my clergy collar and show that there are Christians who are supportive of queer folks and inclusive policies.

Silence was not an option for me, and with all that was going on politically last year, I felt: enough is enough, we can’t keep on rolling back policies that help less priviliged people. We have to draw a line in the sand and say:We’re not going back to the 50s!

The courage to stand up and protest is not an easy decision, because there’s a risk. You have to be prepared to defend yourself, to encounter opposition, and you realize the situation could get a little volatile.

Courage for me meant being prepared for consequences, and taking responsibility for my actions. Could I with authenticity stand up in the pulpit the week later and tell you what I had done?

At the end of the event, I felt more whole as a person. Having had the courage to attend the protest I said to myself: hey, I finally stood up for something publicly that I believe.

I created some connections to some of the other protestors, and I made a statement, not only to those opposing the Pride flag, but also for the LGBTQ+ protestors to say that there are Christians who care.

I also felt more whole as a citizen, because the right to free speech and to protest is an important part of free society, and by exercising that right, I was aligning myself (in a very small way) as part of larger changes Led by brave people who stood up for individual rights in society.

How do our Bible texts today demonstrate courage?

What they can tell us about being unbound, about how we can get closer to wholeness when we choose courage?

 

Our first reading from Isaiah comes from the perspective of “God’s Servant”

The Servant talks about how they didn’t hide their face from insults and spitting.

They showed courage, to stand up and take the abuse, they “set their face like flint”: they demonstrated unwavering conviction in the face of their enemies.

They could be so brave, because they knew that the Lord God helped them.

God’s presence in their lives enabled them to have courage so that while there might be temporary disgrace, God’s help would make endurance possible.

Trusting in God enables true courage in difficult situations. (Psalm 31)

In our Gospel reading about Jesus’ triumphant protest march,

the “crowd longs to be unbound from oppression,

crying out for a messiah who will make them whole through power.” (Mihee Kim-Kort)

Yet Jesus’ way is not the way of force, 

His courage is shaped by humility, and shows that earthly dominance is actually frail.

Jesus doesn’t appear on a horse like a military leader, but on a donkey. 

He doesn’t arrive with armed guards, but with fishermen and children waving branches.

It takes courage to enter Jerusalem like Jesus does in such a festal procession, but he shows that courage isn’t just for the person with the biggest sword. 

Bravery armed with humility can often be much more powerful.

Our final Gospel reading of the passion:

Demonstrates Jesus’ silent courage.

Compared to other versions, 

Jesus doesn’t say much in this account.

Jesus (appearing as a simple peasant preacher) stands before the governor, the head of all military and political power.

Jesus faces his accusers bravely.

He has the courage

To go through, mockery, slander, humiliation, and torture.

He has the courage to empty himself of all divine power,  taking on human likeness and being obedient to the point of death.

Jesus shows courage not to use any tricks 

to get himself out of the situation, 

but simply complete his mission and suffer.

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What does it mean for us today?

As we long to be unbound by courage?

And show up like Jesus in brave humility?

Well, for one we need to acknowledge that true courage is not: 

that of dictator or fancy man

Who punches down, destroying, and robbing.

Demonstrating might like colonial powers, whether like the ancient Romans or like modern day exploitative corporations: that is not the courage we want to imitate.

Courage that dominates others is not the way of the cross.

True Christian courage should come from a place of quiet conviction, 

With a desire for justice, equity, peace and dialogue.

Christian courage should be about proclaiming Jesus publicly,

Acknowledging faith is part of our lives

Just like those at the Procession of Palms.

We need to acknowledge Jesus as Lord of our lives.

Christians can show courage by speaking the truth with kindness, standing up for people who are ignored or mistreated, 

and trusting God when fear or uncertainty is strong. 

Courage also looks like admitting mistakes, 

forgiving when it is hard, 

and staying faithful in prayer and obedience even when the path is difficult.

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Inspired by the Savior’s

“Love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be”,

May we be unbound for wholeness, 

and be filled with courage just like our Lord.

*Hymn of the Day 343 “My Song is Love Unknown”