Opinion: Let’s be men and women of courage

By TERRY DONOVAN ODELL

Published: 03-13-2025 1:31 PM

Rev. Terry Donovan Odell, MA, Ordained Interfaith Minister, lives in Penacook.

Sitting and looking out my corner window at the freshly fallen snow, a coverlet for the gray “old winter snow” accumulated underneath, things look pristine and beautiful. that is far from the internal landscape of my spirit trying to navigate the world as I see it these days.

As a former educator in Theology within the Catholic community for over thirty years I am totally confused and bewildered by the current brand of Christianity being espoused by those holding power in our nation. The words of Jesusring hollow as a myriad of decisions are made at record speed causing more harm than good and adding weight to the backs of those already heavily burdened. His words in Matthew 11 were: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Such are these times. Times of great chaos and confusion, fear and trepidation as the country struggles with what is and what might be. Trying to remain positive and hopeful presents a challenge. The daily barrage of uncaring cruelty brandished as a flaming sword upon multitudes devastates my heart. I think of so many children caught in the crossfire of hatred, and greed; so many of our elders, afraid and alone; so many parents separated from their children; and so many young people unsure of their future.

The future does not offer me the decades it once did, making it all the more imperative that I speak my truth and do what I can for my children and grandchildren. So many of those I love will experience a world focused on power and money if the present trajectory is not altered. In my moments of fear and even despair, when anger burns in my heart, I will try to remember my anger is better named as grief: grief for what is, what might be and even what might have been. Finding strength and courage in the words of Clarisa Pinkola Estes, who said “Do not lose heart, we were made for these times,” presents a daily challenge.

Looking for the light, I find hope in the manner my children and their spouses live their lives: parenting with loving kindness and holding their children accountable for the same, caring for others and treating all with dignity and respect, modeling honesty in the midst of a world that has lost its way and descended into deceit that is accepted on every level.For their witness to what is good I am grateful.

Although under no delusions my efforts will change the course of history, I know that, having taken action and done something, my efforts will change me. By affirming the goodness around me, hope continues to flicker. Eventually, fanned by others doing the same, a flame ignites.

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Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French Jesuit, once wrote, “The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds, the tides and gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, we shall have discovered fire.” May such a vision become reality.

We may not be in places and spaces of world decision-making, but in our own worlds, we have the power to act and we have choices to make. Perhaps we will decide to become a bit more curious about those who believe differently or look differently and make an attempt to understand rather that disregard and disrespect.

Perhaps we will attend a protest, write a letter or check in on those who might be fearful, letting them know they are not alone. Or maybe we will simply sit quietly and imagine our groaning world encompassed by light and accompanied by a simple prayer: May the Light I hold be felt as comfort to all in need.

Whatever it might be, no matter how small, such will be our contribution to a broken world in need of mending and tending, begging for repair.

As I write these words a favorite quote from the Greek Philosopher Seneca comes to mind: “Sometimes, even to live is an act of courage.” In this country and at this time, we are all called to be women and men of courage.