Fortitude

5 Minute Meditations. Between now and Pentecost (May 23rd), we’re going to talk about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Fruits of the Spirit. The blog entries will be much shorter, but you can spend as much time in meditation, contemplation and prayer as you like.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him:  a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-3) These seven gifts (piety is described, not labeled, in the verses that follow) are part of the blessings given the Messiah, Jesus, and therefore, given to Christians. We receive these gifts at baptism. They are strengthened in us in the sacrament of Confirmation when we affirm our identities as soldiers of Christ, that is, Christians who will battle sin in ourselves and in the world to bring about the Kingdom of Heaven.

Ponder: Fortitude is courage. It’s the strength to do what is right. Fortitude is especially needed to do what is right over extended periods of time. Fortitude is the courage to do what is right even if it means hardship, loss, or death. Joan of Arc, Thomas Becket, and Sir Thomas More had fortitude. Fortitude is the strength to take risks in order to follow Jesus. Fortitude is not being rash or reckless. Those are neither courageous nor show strength of character.

Reflect: What aspect of your vocation (marriage, singlehood, ordained religious) or citizenship requires fortitude today? (Or reflect on the word or phrase that stood out to you.) Talk it over with God … and listen.

Pray (and add your own words): Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. (1 Cor. 16:13)

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