Why are leaders in a nation, in education, in religion afraid to speak out with courage?

#FULTONFRIDAYS: COURAGE IS THE VIRTUE WE NEED

BY FULTON J. SHEEN


This post is part of the ongoing#FultonFridays series, in which I share the writings of Ven. Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Sam Guzman, the founder and editor of the Catholic Gentleman. ( https://www.catholicgentleman.net/  )

Goodness, patriotism, honesty and loyalty are losing their battles not by conflict, but by default. Those who are called to be defenders of what is right are not wounded in the battle, they flee.

Courage has always been in the past the attribute of those who have faith; now the moral leaders become defenders only of the feeble. They are afraid to speak on vital truth to their troops, fearful that they may incite a revolt or be unloved. The result is “every man does what is right in his own eyes.” Actually, the troops are yearning for strong leaders who will challenge them and sound trumpets with clear notes. But seeing the shepherds uncertain and afraid of wolves, the sheep scatter.

Why are leaders in a nation, in education, in religion afraid to speak out with courage? Partly because they are not themselves practicing what they ask others to do; partly because they are afraid of being unloved or because running counter to the moods of the time and partly because they do not rely on Divine strength to aid them in their defense of what is right and just.

When Peter and John were arrested and brought before judges for preaching Christianity, the judges were struck by first their “boldness” and secondly by the fact that they were unlearned. Their strong convictions came not from academic degrees, but from their being filled with the Spirit of God.

When David’s commander Joab “saw the battle was against him in front and rear” he and his brother Abishai pledged mutual support, shored up their moral courage, and left the final decision in the hands of God. “If the Aramaeans are too strong for me, then you shall help me, Joab said, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. Be of good courage and let us fight bravely for our people, and for the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what seems good to Him.”

In the area of religion, the secret of courage is: “I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.”

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Read more:  Source: www.catholicgentleman.net