Revolution of Love.com
Our Lady of Courage
by Brian
I believe the one virtue that Catholics are in need of today is courage.
Courage is not an easy virtue to practice, especially within a society that is becoming more and more hostile toward Catholic beliefs and principles. This is why we need someone to show us the path of true spiritual courage. The one person who can do this is the Blessed Virgin Mary.
I truly believe the Blessed Virgin lived a life of heroic courage. This is evident in the fifth sorrowful mystery - the crucifixion. Imagine if you can, Our Lady at the foot of the cross. There she is heart broken, eyes fixed upon her Son, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, who is hanging on a cross like a criminal, being reviled by others and suffering for sinful humanity.
Our Lady doesn't try to save Jesus. She doesn't try to bribe the Roman soldiers nor does she get into a heated debate with the Pharisees. Instead, she remains silent, kneeling before her Son. I call this courage, a spiritual courage that only comes from following the narrow way of the cross.
Our Lady's courage is not the kind of courage the world would ever endorse. It is a courage that relies on God's grace, mercy and love and seeks nothing else than to please Him. It is the type of courage displayed by the saints, but considered by the world as foolishness and a sign of supreme weakness. It is the same courage that our dear Lord spoke about when He said, "If you want to be my disciple, take up your cross and follow me."
The courage I am speaking of is not for the faint hearted. It is for those who truly want to live their lives for Jesus. As Jesus said, "The road to life is difficult and hard." True courage is humbly following Our Lord and abandoning ourselves to His Holy Will. This is exactly what Our Lady did at the foot of the cross. She followed the path of true courage and love.
When the chips are down and you are faced with a difficult circumstance or situation turn to Our Lady of Courage. She will teach you the real meaning of courage - a courage that is pleasing to Heaven, a courage that will bring down graces upon this world, a courage that will transform hearts and souls.
God bless!