Acts 20:22-23
But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know, except that in one city after another the holy Spirit has been warning me that imprisonment and hardships await me.
I'm a big Lord of the Rings fan and one of my favorite scenes is from Return of the King when Aragorn leads the army into battle with these words: "A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day...This day we fight!" He has a boldness that comes from believing that his mission is worth fighting for.
Holy boldness is what we see in St. Paul's words in today's reading from the Acts of the Apostles. He believes so strongly that the holy Spirit is sending him on this mission that he basically says I don't know what's going to happen. It's going to be difficult, but I'm going to keep going. His courage is coming from a place bigger than himself. And when we live courageously like that, others will get inspired and follow our lead.
Do you believe wholeheartedly in the mission on which you've been sent?
Lord, give me holy boldness to share your name, even when there is a battle awaiting me.
