THE SPIRIT OF COURAGE

Thursday in the Second Week of Easter
Jn 3:31-36

“I am the king’s loyal servant, but God’s first” – these are words of St. Thomas Moore who was martyred under Henry VIII in 1535 for his refusal to consent to the king’s adulterous relationship.

Something similar to St. Thomas’ proclamation of faith in God is heard in the First Reading today (Acts 5:27-33). Peter and the apostles told the high priest who demanded an explanation for their not heeding his warning, “Obedience to God comes before obedience to men.” History has taught us that persons who make such a daring claim can be easy candidates for martyrdom.

We may wonder where Christians, like St. Thomas Moore, St. Peter and the apostles, get the courage to boldly run the risk of dying rather than disobey God. The Gospel today tells us where. From heaven. He who is born from above through baptism is given the Spirit without reserve. The Holy Spirit is not only the Giver of courage; He is the very Courage of those to whom He has been given.

We have been given the same Holy Spirit. Baptism does not only make us children of God. It also makes us His temples, His dwelling places. Should we not have the same courage that St. Thomas Moore, St. Peter and the apostles had?

But why do we sometimes compromise our faith in God in favor of our faith in earthly things? Why do we easily obey men but find obedience to God a bitter sacrifice? Can we be slaves of worldly powers and yet remain God’s unfaithful servants?