“Take heart! Have courage! In the first episode of the 2010 BBC series Sherlock, Mycroft Holmes (brother to the famous, titular detective) meets Sherlock’s new crime solving companion, John Watson, belittling the retired army captain’s refusal to be intimidated: “The bravery of a soldier,” he says. “Bravery is by far the kindest word for stupidity, don’t you think?” (“A Study in Pink,” Sherlock, BBC, London, July 25, 2010). While the thesaurus will treat the words courage and bravery as synonyms, this Sunday’s reading from Matthew may reveal important differences between the two. When Jesus calls out to the disciples, he says, “Take heart,” offering an invitation to courage. The root of courage is the French word for heart. In contrast, bravery at its root is a more performative act, closer to bravado. Peter is trying to be brave—going for the showy display—but perhaps he lacks courage as well as faith. Where might Jesus be calling us to courageous faith in life’s storms?”
– Sundays and Seasons, theological reflection
Recent Comments