198th Meditation
“Be brave, take heart,
all who put your hope in the Lord” (Ps 30:25).
Again and again the Lord gives us courage, both in the Old and New Testament. It easily happens that, in the face of so much misery and affliction that we see in this world, we feel helpless. This is even more so when we perceive our own weaknesses and limitations.
However, the Lord does not want to see us discouraged and downcast, but standing firm and trusting in Him. Even in Jesus’ eschatological discourse or in the Book of Revelation, which clearly show us the tribulations that will befall mankind, we are always given to understand that we should not lose heart, but look to the Lord: “When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand” (Lk 21:28).
In the verse of the psalm we heard today, the Lord points out to us an authentic way to strengthen our hearts and to leave discouragement behind: it is a matter of waiting on the Lord, of counting concretely on His presence and intervention. In this attitude of waiting, our focus will not be on the difficulties of our earthly existence, but on God.
This is where hope comes from, and this theological virtue strengthens the heart and makes it courageous. “Hope will not let us down, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us” (Rom 5:5).
A strengthened and courageous heart will stand firm in God’s ways and be ready for the combat from which none of us is exempt. Focusing on the Lord, who will return at the End of Time, will make us ready to go out to meet Him with our whole being.