(1875-1943) Bernhard was a priest at the Cathedral of Berlin, Germany, and an outspoken critic of the Nazi party and anti-Semitism. He was imprisoned for two years after organizing protests in front of concentration camps, publicly leading prayers for the Jews, and filing complaints against the Nazis. When released, he went straight back to public ministry and was arrested again. He was killed in a cattle car of a train en route to the Dachau concentration camp at age 67.
Blessed Bernhard had the incredible courage to speak truth to power. The virtue of courage is the middle ground between the vice of excess fear, cowardice, and the vice of the deficiency of proper fear, foolhardiness. Courage is required throughout 12-step recovery. We speak truth to lies. We replace permissions, excuses, and license to do as we please with humility, amends, and God’s will. We choose to do the right thing, not the easy thing. Where has courage been required of you in recovery?
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28).
Reflection by Brad Farmer