Take Courage - Wait for the Lord

The Catholic Thing

By Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy.
In the Office of Readings recently, a second-century anonymous author exhorted his readers to "take courage." This counsel brought to mind an event from my distant past that still resonates as we begin this Advent season.
I was about to begin my doctrinal studies at King's College, and it was dark when I arrived at our Capuchin friary in the borough of Peckham in southeast London. When I was shown my room, I immediately looked out the window to see my view over the next three years. Across the way, was a pub. Blazing above its door, in big red neon letters, was the phrase: "Take Courage."
One of the friars informed me that that pub sold a beer called "Courage," and so the brewery's motto, "Take Courage." I took it as a providential sign as I was about to study for my D. Phil. I also, over the years, imbibed a pint or two of Courage, though I found that it did not make me more courageous.
The phrase, "take courage," contains within it the future, but not simply a neutral future, that of "the yet" still to be lived. Rather, it looks to a future that will be fraught with challenges, risks, and even dangers. In the face of these future menacing encounters, one must "take courage." The Courage brewing company is not alone in urging one to "Take Courage." God Himself, throughout the whole of the Old Testament, exhorts the Jewish people to "take courage."
Although Moses did not enter the Promised Land, a land that was occupied by other peoples, God declared to Moses: "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be in dread of them: for it is the Lord your God who goes with you." (Deuteronomy 31:6) Even though the future would be filled with many dangers, Moses was to take courage, for the Lord would be present at all times.
God also promised Joshua that, as he was with Moses, so now he would be with Him: "Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
When Solomon inherited the kingly throne of David, God said that he would give him "discretion and understanding," and therefore he is to "be strong and of good courage." (1 Chronicles 22:12-13)
In these historical cases, these important individuals were not to be fearful of the future, but were to take courage in all circumstances because God would be with them at all times.
Moreover, the Psalmist prayed in hope that he would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Therefore, he affirmed to himself: "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:13-14)
The Psalmist may have needed to await the future, but he did so courageously, for he awaited in the assurance of the Lord's saving action. Similarly, the saints were to "love the Lord," for he preserves the faithful. Therefore: "Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 31:23-24)
Paul, in his epistles, continually exhorts his readers to be faithful to the Gospel. This loyalty demands courage in the midst of trials and persecution. Therefore, he urged the Corinthians: "Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Among other things, courage demands watchfulness, lest one lose heart and forsake the faith. Courage is the stalwart advocate of the Christian life.
Courage, for Christians, is founded upon Jesus. Through His passion, Jesus has conquered sin and vanquished death - that which most frightens humankind. Through faith in Jesus, Christians have been saved from sin and thus from the curse of death. In His resurrection, Christians obtain eternal life.
Jesus can, therefore, truly proclaim to His apostles: "In the world you have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Whatever tribulations that may come in the course of one's Christian life, one can take courage in that Jesus has overcome them, and, therefore, one can be of good cheer...