Sometimes it takes a lot of courage to walk in the footsteps of the Lord.
The obstacles and threats along the way aren't always dramatic, but there are a lot of little risks involved. Yet whether the challenges are great or small, it still takes courage to become the person you want to be, the person you were made to be, in imitation of Christ.
The Christians at Thessalonica and the other early communities knew what it was like to be afraid now and then. The stories of Jesus and the letters from leaders like St. Paul gave them a source of courage to accomplish what they needed to do and to be in the world of their own time.
On the shelf of your life today, there are a lot of things that you know you really ought to accomplish. It's not a question of trying to figure out what you need to do. You know what you need to do. You know the kind of person you want to be. Yet, for some reason or another, you hold back. perhaps you are afraid of the risks involved.
It takes courage. It involves risk. But you're not alone. The Lord is pulling for you, and is ready to come in with special help if you need it.
At Mass, when you come together with other people who share your commitment to the Lord, you also receive - and give back -0 the courage and encouragement we all need in order to walk with the Lord.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw