Boldness

Sister Mary Cyriline BVM seemed ancient to my fourth-grade self at Saint Eulalia School. In reality she was likely no more than 50 years old…which, come to think of it…is ancient to the average 10-year-old!

Although petite in stature, Sister Cyriline presented what I would now call a severe countenance that made her a force to be reckoned with. The BVM habit, coupled with her “advanced” years, only enhanced her influence.  If Sister Cyriline proclaimed, “You bold thing!”, it was not a compliment. It meant you had crossed the line from slightly disruptive to badly misbehaving.  This admonishment was usually reserved for one of the boys in our class, but hearing it made an impression on all of us. No one wanted to be labeled a “bold thing”.

Our Easter Season readings from Acts have prompted my memories of Sister Cyriline. I am reminded that boldness can be either a vice or a virtue. We have all known people who are bold in the negative sense. They are often pushy, demanding, confrontational. On the positive side, there are many examples of spiritual boldness. The Acts of the Apostles is full of stories of this type of Holy Boldness. 

Alison’s reflection last week got me thinking about what it looks like to live life as an Easter Person. Acts of the Apostles, with stories of the first Easter People, is filled with spiritual boldness. It speaks of those first Christians as being fearless, confident, courageous risk takers for the Lord.

This Sunday’s readings are all about stepping out in boldness. We will hear Peter speaking out and publicly proclaiming King David’s words, “I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.” Acts 2: 25. These words of David are repeated in the Responsorial Psalm (16:8). Our Gospel reading is a very familiar one: two of Jesus’ disciples encounter the Risen Lord on the road to Emmaus. Once they finally recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread and after He had broken open the Scriptures for them, they set out at once to Jerusalem to proclaim the Risen Lord to their fellow apostles (Luke 24:13-35).   

I read recently that being bold is a great skill, but it’s a bit like salt. By itself it’s not very good, but when mixed with the right foods it can make a huge difference. Think of salt on watermelon, how it brings out the sweetness of the fruit. Wisely developing our spiritual boldness has the potential to bring out the best in ourselves and in others.

Please join me in praying boldly for boldness of spirit, my friends…

Be bolder in living your faith through your words, actions and prayers. 

Be bold in loving our God and others. Step out of your comfort zone. Be bold in giving yourself permission to try new things in faith. 

Be bold in the knowledge that you have many sisters and brothers in Christ who support you with their actions and prayers. 

Lord…enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness... (Acts 4:29)