Wisdom and Fortitude

“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” // Matthew 25:1

Wisdom and fortitude. 

A few weeks ago I was in a conversation with a wise priest about praying for my family, and how much I feel I lack when it comes to discipline in this area. He told me my prayer for them ought to be simple, and it ought to be for this—wisdom and fortitude. Wisdom to know what ought to be done, and fortitude to carry it out. 

There was something so completely consoling in the distillation of these two virtues. When it comes to prayer, and when it comes to what we should pray for one another, it often feels an overwhelming task. I could pray for so much; how do I even know where to begin? The simplicity of this prayer was balm to my soul, because it was clear to me that it really covered it all. All other virtues are so beautifully blanketed in these two. Wisdom and fortitude. 

I desire my children to know God—wisdom. I desire them to love Him and serve Him with their lives—fortitude. Patience? Fortitude. Purity? Fortitude. Humility? Wisdom . . . and fortitude. It’s all there. 

And we see it displayed so beautifully in the Gospel today (see Matthew 25:1-13), in the image of these ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom—an analogy that, so clearly, speaks of us and Our Lord. Wisdom to know that we must prepare our hearts for the coming of our Bridegroom, and fortitude to stay awake. To not fall into comforts, or distractions, or a spiritual sleepiness. We’ve got to struggle to live these virtues well so that we, too, can be ready to see Him passing by. 

Lord, help me to remember this simple prayer often, and to live it well: wisdom and fortitude, wisdom and fortitude.