Holy Boldness

Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man.
Lk.19:20,21

The third servant returns the money entrusted to him, with no interest earned. Fear stopped him from investing  it.

Fear stifles growth. Pope Francis said,“A Christian without courage, who does not turn his own strength to good, who does not bother anyone, is a useless Christian.” He encouraged "parrhesia", a holy boldness to speak the truth. This is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Holy boldness. I like the sound of that. It makes me want to use, to invest the "talents" I have been given by God. 

Today's first reading from Maccabees shows holy boldness at work, even at the cost of a tortuous death. Jesus demonstrated no less in his passion and death.

Come Holy Spirit, give me the gift of bold courage, that God's Kingdom may come on earth as it is heaven.