Pastor's Corner | What Makes a Disciple Courageous? June 21, 2026
Courage is one of the most admired virtues, yet it is often misunderstood. Many people think courage means
being fearless. Others imagine it means possessing extraordinary confidence or strength. But the Scriptures
present a richer and more realistic picture. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the willingness to do
what is right, good, and necessary even when fear is present.
In this Sunday's readings, both Jeremiah and the disciples face circumstances that would naturally provoke fear.
Jeremiah is mocked, opposed, and surrounded by those who seek his downfall. The disciples are sent into a
world that will not always welcome their message. Yet neither Jeremiah nor the disciples are called to deny
reality or pretend that danger does not exist. Instead, they are invited to see reality more deeply.
At the heart of courage lies a profound truth: God is with us.
Jeremiah declares, & The Lord is with me, like a mighty champion. Notice that his courage does not come from
favorable circumstances. Nothing around him has changed. Rather, his confidence grows from the conviction
that he does not stand alone. God's presence gives him the strength to continue his mission despite opposition.
The same lesson appears in the Gospel. Jesus reminds His disciples that they live under the loving care of
Divine Providence. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the father's knowledge, and even the hairs
of our head are counted. These images reveal something extraordinary: our lives are not governed by chance.
We are known, loved, and accompanied by God in every circumstance.
Yet the Gospel does not call us to passivity. Trust in God is not an excuse to avoid responsibility. The saints
understood that God's grace does not replace human effort; it strengthens it. Courage requires action. It requires
speaking the truth with love when it would be easier to remain silent, persevering when obstacles arise, and
doing what is right even when the outcome is uncertain.
In our own lives, courage may be found in a difficult conversation, an act of forgiveness, a moral decision, a
sacrifice for one's family, or a renewed commitment to prayer and discipleship. Fear may still be present, but it
no longer has the final word.
Perhaps this is what makes a disciple courageous. He neither relies on himself alone nor waits for God to do
everything. Rather, he acts with confidence because he knows that God is with him. He trusts that the same God
who calls him also provides the grace necessary to fulfill that call.
In a world often marked by anxiety and uncertainty, Christ invites us to live differently. Not with reckless
confidence, nor with passive resignation, but with the quiet strength that comes from knowing that God walks
beside us. And when we truly believe that, we discover the courage to take the next faithful step.
In Christ our Good Shepherd,
Fr. Francis M.V. Aguilar
Administrator
St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish & School