“You shall not fear … for it is the Lord who fights for you”

Greetings! In mid-September, 230 members, clergy, speakers, and staff gathered in Scottsdale, AZ for our Summit West at the Phoenician Resort. This Summit, despite having half the numbers of a usual summit due to COVID implications, was just as impactful. Its theme permeated through all speakers: FEARLESS.

In November, there will be a full recap on the Summit and speakers. I want to take a moment to highlight the theme and the recap given at the end of the Summit.

Fr. John Bartunek wrapped up our final evening. He assured each member that God had granted specific graces throughout our time together. Father gave us five categories to identify and accept the grace we received in the Summit, and to make commitment in those areas. These five basic disciplines of Christian living are:

1. Prayer life, which includes the sacraments
2. Mission
3. Discovery, learning more about our faith
4. Intentional growth in Christ-like virtue
5. Fellowship

An easy way to remember these five commitments is to use the five fingers on your hand, starting with your thumb.

The thumb, prayer, is closest to our heart. The index finger, mission, pointing us forward. The middle finger, which is the tallest, represents discovery and reminds us to always go higher. The ring finger, which piano players know is the weakest finger, is for intentional growth; we must target virtues to intentionally grow. The smallest finger, fellowship, shows us that alone we are very small, but together we are great. A rope of three strands is stronger. Fr. Bartunek reminded us that this is where Legatus is exemplary: we give the environment for fellowship, understanding that we are meant to journey together.

In his closing prayer, Fr. Chas Canoy, chaplain of the Ann Arbor Chapter, gave us multiple scriptures through which we are reminded of our call to be FEARLESS leaders. He first recalled Ralph Martin’s words from the day prior, in which Ralph encouraged us to be rooted in the scriptures, as that is the word of God Himself.

• Deuteronomy 3:22 “You shall not fear them for it is the Lord God who fights for you.”
• Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?”
• Psalm 34:4 “I sought the Lord and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to Him and be radiant, so your faces shall never be ashamed.”
• Isaiah 35:4 “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance and he will save you.’”
• Matthew 14:27 “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.”
• 1 John 4:18 “Perfect love casts out all fear.”

I pray we all respond to the call of heroic holiness and fearlessly share the message of salvation.

We are called to bring our faith out into the world. Our Summit, through the inspirational words of the speakers, shaped this call further. We must be fearless in our mission to study, live, and spread the faith in every possible arena of our lives.

STEPHEN M. HENLEY is Legatus’ President.