Be of Good Couage

Brothers and sisters:
We are always courageous,
although we know that while we are at home in the body
we are away from the Lord,
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet we are courageous,
and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.
Therefore, we aspire to please him,
whether we are at home or away.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
so that each may receive recompense,
according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Cor. 5:6-10)

Today’s 2nd reading from St. Paul to the Corinthians reminds us that we are to always be courageous in the Lord and our aspirations should always be to please Him.  St. Paul’s courage is awe inspiring, especially in light of his troubles, being arrested, beat, tortured and eventually martyred. Tradition has it that he slept like a newborn babe and that the guard had to wake him on the morning of his execution. We are not sure if that is true but it would not surprise me given what we know of St. Paul from his letters and testimony by others.

St. Paul had this courage because of his complete surrender and trust in Jesus. That courage even caused a deep longing in him to rather be with the Lord then continue here on earth, but if it was God’s will he remain then so be it. For many of us we can always think of one or more reasons to continue to stick around here in this life for just a little longer.

When we think about our own aspirations in life, what we aspire to it is usually earthly things, i.e. will I advance at work, will I ever own my own business, will I be successful, will I have a nice home, etc. Its not that these things are bad, but what are the real reasons for me desiring them? Do I desire them along with the Lord? Is the Lord part of those plans? Have I brought those desires to the Lord? Or have those aspirations nothing to do with the Lord?

Finally, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of God.” Wow, that could be a little scary. There will be no opportunity to try and defend oneself, i.e. squirm our way out of it. All will be revealed, every action, thought and word along with their motivations - all will be laid bare. Makes one think doesn’t it. But here also we are to have courage, courage in our Lord that our love for Him and our neighbor will be enough. Here our ultimate trust is required that when all is laid bare that I can still surrender completely to my Lord’s will and not my own.

We have the opportunities each day to please our Lord and the commands he left for us are not burdensome but rather simple and only two of them so that there can be no excuse on our part. Therefore love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. AMEN!