Be BOLD
Julia Davis
So we are well into the year 2021! Though it may not have started as smoothly as we have liked, many people have set resolutions for their journey into the year. I have never really been a fan of these “New Year’s Resolutions” and think I hear more jokes about them and their inconsistencies than I hear about driven people looking to achieve their goals.
However, a Catholic version of this that I have heard of and grown to appreciate is the “word of the year”. According to Catholics that I have spoken to, one is to reflect on a word or phrase after speaking to God in prayer and asking, “What is something that I need to grow in or focus on this year?” It is useful to hold on to that word to ensure that you always are striving for improvement. It is also a theme you can always invite God into when prayer gets hard. I love this because it is rooted spiritually in prayer but can be applied to any area of your life. Some words that I have heard so far from various people I know are patience, servant, surrender, commit, and image.
One word that stuck with me during the transition into the new year is “boldness” — or “be bold”. This word came about for many reasons but specifically in reference to boldness in prayer. I have had the incredible opportunity to meet biweekly with one of our Mercedarian Sisters here at Catholic Gators. Through this time, she has taught me that it is good — and encouraged — to be bold in prayer. What does this mean?
This can mean many things and is probably different for every person. For me, that was learning to trust and be vulnerable with Christ; to open up, be intentional, and not be afraid to ask for things. I think I always thought that maybe God does not want me to ask. He is too busy or perhaps does not want to hear my desires and much less grant them. I think often I felt this way in relationships outside of prayer, too. Who am I to bother someone and ask for help or guidance? I should be in control, be self-sufficient, and not need anyone else. When reflecting on this, I wondered, is this how I feel about God? Is this how some others feel about God? He certainly does not want this for us. He wants us to ask. He loves us and desires us to come to Him. And be specific! Not demanding, but run to him and share your struggles and longings. Invite Him into it. Be bold in your requests with strong statements such as “Jesus, show me your love. Or “Jesus, heal me of this.”
“Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive it and you will.” (Mark 11:24)
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, there is a phrase “filial boldness”. The definition states “to pray with a faith that refuses to doubt”. A faith that refuses to doubt — what a beautiful phrase but certainly not an easy type of faith to have. When pondering on this definition, it reminded me of something that my little sister told me. In her group of friends in high school, apparently it is trendy to “manifest” your goals and desires — meaning that one should visualize their aspirations and believe in them and all these visual images will manifest like magic (…at least that is how I interpreted it). Though I am hesitant to accept this whole manifesting thing, I believe that there is a deeper spiritual truth here but it requires more than just a mental picture. Visualize your goals without hesitation and doubt — with filial boldness. But also communicate with God in prayer. He is the one that grants our desires.
“Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open unto you.” (Matthew 7:7)
Boldly request. Bust also boldly express sorrow. Boldly adore Him. Make the Sign of the Cross. Genuflect. Pray in front of others. And do it boldly.
I felt as if I have benefited greatly from this advice and ask for God to continue to grant me boldness. And as an effect of prayer, I believe that I have seen opportunities for boldness in other aspects of my life. During times of COVID, it is easy to use the pandemic as an excuse for not going out of my comfort zone. Not to say one should not be prudent and make decisions that keep health at high importance, but I think that at least for me, I have allowed myself to sit back a bit — be passive and comfortable. The rest that I have received is good, yes, but the Lord I believe calls us to more than just sitting at home watching lectures on our screens. We are to act, do good, and make a difference in our day-to-day lives. As Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati said, “If you have God at the center of your action, you will reach your goal.”
Ask the Lord to grant you the holy confidence to step up and act on your ambitions. Show up at that 7am Rosary. Introduce yourself to that person you have been wanting to be friends with. Run the half marathon.
“Cast yourself into the arms of God and be very sure that if he wants anything of you, he will fit you for the work and give you strength.” — St. Philip Neri
