FORTITUDE (COURAGE)

Tobit 7:17
“Be brave, my daughter. May the Lord grant you joy in place of your grief. Courage, my daughter.”
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Today’s first reading starts with Tobiah asking Sarah’s father to marry her. But it was not that simple as it seems. At that time, Sarah has been married seven times already. But before they can even share the married life together, everyone will die on the very night they approached her. It was a curse no one can understand. And Sarah even thought of ending her life, but she was able to pray to God instead for guidance, wisdom and courage. And Tobiah was the answer to her prayers.

Tobiah was a fine, young man having grew up under the guidance of his father, Tobit. When his father became blind due to cataract, he was instructed by his father to go to a distant land to collect a sum of money that the latter had deposited some time to a friend. He was accompanied by the angel Raphael who also asked him to marry Sarah.

Their first night was full of anxiety. But, Tobiah did the right thing. He asked Sarah to pray with him for God’s protection and give them the courage to overcome the “curse”. Using a burnt fish liver and heart, they were able to drive away the demon causing Sarah’s misfortune. Later, they went back to Tobiah and he healed him of his cataract and was able to see again. Raphael then reveals his true identity and returns to heaven.

Christian courage is the willingness to say and do the right thing regardless of the earthly cost, because God promises to help you and save you on account of Christ. An act takes courage if it will likely be painful. Be courageous in defending the Word, and be courageous in meeting life’s challenges because the Lord will always be there, guiding you.

Almighty Father, grant me the courage to be silent that I may hear Your voice; to persevere, that I may share Your victory; and to remember, unless I forget the way by which You has led me. And when this day is done, O Lord, may I have the courage to see Your guiding hand in the friendships that have been made, in the hurts that have been healed, and in the strength that has been given.

Let us pray and beg our Lord to have mercy on us…