Acts, Chapter 27,
verse 17
They hoisted it
aboard, then used cables to undergird the ship. Because of their fear
that they would run aground on the shoal of Syrtis, they lowered the drift
anchor and were carried along in this way.
Seamen
of Paul’s time often to save a ship in heavy seas would pass a cable several
times under and around a ship and tightening it on deck, to prevent the working
and parting of the timbers and planks in a gale. Additionally to prevent the
ship from getting stuck in the quicksand of the shoal of Syrtis
the seamen lowered the drift
anchor.
The
church is our boat using a metaphor and with the current world situation with
the persecution of Christians, not only in the Middle East, but throughout the
world; to which could be added the storms given the church by secularists and
atheists; our church is definitely being assaulted by an evil Northeasterner. We need
to pass the cables around our church and put out the drift anchor to keep from
being lost.
The
cables that bind our church are the seven sacraments. We need to use them all.
If single, consider Holy Orders; if parents encourage your children in seeking vocations;
get married, if you are living with another, and be open to children; go to
confession and mass; baptize your children and be confirmed by the priests; seek
healing of your body and soul when seriously ill.
Let
your prayers be your drift anchor. Today
start the Novena
to the Holy Spirit in anticipation of the Feast of Pentecost.
Only one thing is important -- eternal
salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin? Sin is the
result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference The Holy Spirit is the Spirit
of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the
mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure
our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit
helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the
Spirit Himself asketh for us."[1]
In
today’s book study of Character is Destiny[2] Edith
Louisa Cavell who was a British nurse demonstrates for us the characteristic of
COURAGE. Courage is the ability and willingness to confront fear, pain, danger,
uncertainty or intimidation. Physical courage is courage in the face of
physical pain, hardship, death or threat of death, while moral courage is the
ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal or
discouragement.
Edith
was a devoted nurse who gave her life on Oct 13, 1915 in Belgium for helping
some 200 allied soldiers to escape capture during the early years of WWI and was
as a result convicted by a German military court and executed by firing squad.
She
was courageous to the end and prepared for her death much as she lived her
life: dutiful, disciplined and prayerful. She knew that to help allied soldiers
could mean her death but to do nothing was worst. Her deep compassion compelled
her to have courage in the face of the grave danger of helping and now she was
to face the supreme sacrifice of a firing squad for her personal convictions. One
of her last communiques was “Standing as I do in view of God and eternity, I
realize that patriotism is not enough, I must have no hatred or bitterness
towards anyone.” In the end she died as she lived with courage and a loving
heart.
Edith
was able to endure her suffering owing to the foundation of love which she had
in Christ and through her core of strength that she had developed by a sense of
duty; thus giving her the courage to sustain her suffering. Like the others we
have examined in this book study her strength was built on a foundation of
love. As we go forth in our own lives let us remember to give hope to others (John
Winthrop); be confident (Elizabeth I) work hard, (Eric Hoffer) get back up when
we fall (Lincoln) being composed and in all self-control (Washington) as we
have the courage (Cavell) to take up our daily crosses.
Next
week we will be studying the character traits exemplified by those who display
the characteristics associated with having a firm purpose. Sojourner
Truth was a slave who became an abolitionist and best portrays the trait of IDEALISM.
[2]
McCain, John and Salter, Mark. (2005) Character is destiny. Random
House, New York
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