GOD’S LOVE WINS pt5: WHAT IS COURAGE?

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Noong mga nakaraang araw, nalaman na natin kung bakit kailangan natin mahalin ang isa’t isa,
kung bakit ang ating identity ay base sa sinasabi ng Diyos at hindi ng mundo, kung bakit ang
kasal ay para sa lalaki at babae at kung bakit mahalaga na lahat tayo ay maglakad sa virtue ng
chastity [1] [2] [3] [4]. May mga kakilala akong mga Katoliko na nakakaranas ng same-sex
attraction at pinipili na buhatin ang kanilang krus upang lakarin ang daan patungo kay Kristo.
May mga kakilala ako na nagagawa ito ng mag-isa, sa tulong ng kanilang mga kaibigan at iba
pa. Ngunit, marahil ay may mga tao rin na kahit alam nila kung ano ang kagustuhan ng Diyos sa
kanila at nais nila ito sundin ay nahihirapan sila gawin ito. Sa mga nakakaranas nito, mahalaga
na malaman natin ang apostolate na Courage. Ano nga ba ang Courage?

“Courage, an apostolate of the Catholic Church, ministers to persons with same-sex attractions
and their loved ones. We have been endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family, and our
beloved John Paul II said of this ministry, "COURAGE is doing the work of God!" We also have
an outreach called EnCourage, which ministers to relatives, spouses, and friends of persons with
same-sex attractions [5].”

Ang Courage ay ministry para sa mga lalaki at babae na nakakaranas ng “same-sex attraction” na
nangangako at nagsisikap na sundin ang katuruan ng Simbahan patungkol sa kahalagahan ng
chastity. Sila ay nakahanap ng inspirasyon sa katuruan ng Bibliya at Simbahang Katoliko sa
kagandahan ng ating sekswalidad at sa tawag sa ating lahat para sa. Mayroong limang layunin
ang apostolate na ito [6]. Ito ay:

1. To live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on
homosexuality (Chastity);
2. To dedicate our entire lives to Christ through service to others, spiritual reading, prayer,
meditation, individual spiritual direction, frequent attendance at Mass, and the frequent reception
of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist (Prayer and Dedication);
3. To foster a spirit of fellowship in which we may share with one another our thoughts and
experiences, and so ensure that no one will have to face the problems of homosexuality alone
(Fellowship);
4. To be mindful of the truth that chaste friendships are not only possible but necessary in a
chaste Christian life; and to encourage one another in forming and sustaining these friendships
(Support);
5. To live lives that may serve as good examples to others (Good Example/Role Model).

Sa mga interesado sumali sa Courage, may anim na chapters ang Courage sa Pilipinas [7]. Ito ay
ang:
 1. Diocese of Virac
2. Diocese of Cabanatuan
3. Diocese of Digos
4. Diocese of Parañaque
5. Diocese of Legazpi
6. Archdiocese of Manila

Para sa akin, tanging sa katuruan ng Bibliya na ipinapahayag ng Simbahang Katolika natin

makikita ang tunay na kahulugan ng “equality” na taliwas sa depinisyon na ibinibigay ng mundo
ditto. Tayong lahat ay ginawang pantay-pantay ng Diyos, at tayong lahat ay Kanyang
inaanyayahan na makiisa sa Kanyang kalooban para sa atin, gaano man kahirap ang krus na ating
dinadala. Ang Simbahan ay laging nandiyan upang matanggap natin kung gaano tayo kamahal
ng Diyos. Nais kong tapusin ang post at series na ito sa sinabi ni Pope Francis sa kanyang unang
libro bilang Santo Papa. Pope Francis said:

“I am glad that we are talking about ‘homosexual people’ because before all else comes the
individual person, in his wholeness and dignity. And people should not be defined only by their
sexual tendencies: let us not forget that God loves all his creatures and we are destined to receive
his infinite love [8].”
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References:
[1] facebook.com/1926549144236044/posts/3297233287167616/
[2] facebook.com/1926549144236044/posts/3297241537166791/
[3] facebook.com/1926549144236044/posts/3297247660499512/
[4] facebook.com/1926549144236044/posts/3297257103831901/
[5] https://couragerc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Courage_EnCourageGoals.pdf
[6] https://couragerc.org/for-individuals/
[7] https://couragerc.org/courage-result/?cat=362
[8] The Name of God Is Mercy

facebook.com/1926549144236044/posts/3297264363831175/