Second Monday in Lent.
ON FORTITUDE.
1. We have seen that Conscience, enlightened by Divine Revelation and assisted by Understanding, obtains a clear knowledge of God’s Will, and its application to the several conditions in which man is placed in his course through life.
We have seen how that it is not sufficient for man toknow whatis to be done, he must alsoknow howit is to be done, and this is where Prudence is needed.
But Prudence is not enough. Prudence may be so timorous as to dissuade from action altogether, and may neutralise the effect of the promptings of Conscience. Prudence sees dangers, and it may magnify dangers. “The slothful man,” says Solomon, “saith, There is a lion in the way, a lion is in the streets,” and so does not go abroad. Now Prudence counsels a man not to go out of doors when there actuallyisa lion there, but Timidity keeps him at homeon the chanceof a lion being there. It is the function of Prudence to foresee dangers, take account of obstructions and difficulties, and if Prudence stood alone it might induce to inertness, and spiritual sluggishness.
2. Therefore God gives us a supplementary counter-balancing grace, which is thatFortitude, or courage, to carry us withresolute, bold hearts through the fulfilment of duty. When we know well our duty, then we prudently consider which is the best way of executing it, and then fortitude steps in to nerve us to the full and exact completion of our duty.
Many an one, having seen the right way, invokes all his fortitude to assist him in the carrying out of what is right, regardless of the advice of Prudence, and many an one, when Prudence indicates difficulties, and advises delay, falls into neglect. Each is necessary, and each is equally necessary.
3. Fortitude is a gift of God; it is an attribute of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit, not only of Counsel, but also of Strength.
We need Divine strength toundertake, strength tocarry through, strength tobear the consequencesof doing what is right.
(a)In the first place, having obtained a clear sight of what is God’s Will, and also having prudently considered what is the best way of fulfilling it, we require strength to brace our resolution to undertake the task set us, that is to say, to make up our minds strenuously to do that which God commands, and to do it in the way most advisable.
(b)In the second place, we require strength to persevere and not to become discouraged, and leave off imperfectly done that which we see it is our duty to do. It is often better not to begin, than to leave off what has been undertaken unaccomplished.
(c)In the third place, we require strength to endure the consequences of our act. If we have done that which is right, we cannot be sure that it will not entail on us loss, ridicule, disappointment. But we must then invoke the aid of the Divine gift of Fortitude to strengthen us to endure cheerfullysuch consequences as come of what we have done, putting all our trust in God, and leaving all further care to God.
4. It must not be supposed that the Divine gift of Fortitude is one and the same thing as humanobstinacy. Many men are obstinate in carrying out their resolutions, and in carrying them out in their own way. They have strong wills. But the Divine grace is different; it is allied to humility, and human obstinacy is tied up with self-conceit. It is therefore not difficult to distinguish the one from the other. A lowly spirit may be strong in the Lord to fulfil resolutely the Will of God, but an obstinate spirit is a self-opinionated one that follows not God’s Will, but its own. We must be careful in examining our own selves, and seeing if there is strong resolution in us, if it is strong in the right way, and with the right sort of strength.
Simple Maltese Cross