Millennial Lenten Reflections: Seraphic courage
Editor’s Note: The following is part of Millennial Lenten Reflections, a blog series in collaboration with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Short reflections on the day’s readings, written by young adults from FMS and other organizations, will be posted everyday throughout Lent.
“What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” (Matt 26:14)
I often wonder how Judas was so ready to give away his friend so quickly. It’s been said that thirty pieces of silver back then would be about the equivalent to four or five hundred dollars American today. Was it worth it?
Doubt strikes fear in the heart, but trust breeds courage. St. Francis of Assisi, a great sign of contradiction even today, stripped himself of everything—including his clothing, and out of joy gave himself totally to God. Being the son of a wealthy cloth merchant, I imagine his outfit probably cost about several hundred dollars. Francis did for Jesus what Judas couldn’t bring himself to do: place his life entirely into the hands of the Father.
This “seraphic courage,” a courage and trust that the angels possess, is what we’re called to adopt as we begin the holiest week of the year. Let’s let go of the frustration from our habitual sins, our hurts, our failed Lenten practices, and our constant need for control. Allow the Resurrection to be the word that rouses our hearts (Is 50:4) to seraphic courage this Easter.
Br. Brian Stacy, OFM Cap., is a solemnly professed Capuchin Franciscan of the Province of St. Augustine. He’s currently finishing his last year of studies for the M.Div. program at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
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