Bible Reflections I 17.07.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 16

Readings 

           I - Gen. 18: 10

          II - Col. 1: 24-28

          II - Lk. 10: 38-42 

                           

SERVE THE LORD IN GLADNESS

Service is the unique expression of a supreme love. The nobility of this service is that it counts no cost but is concerned about the benefit of the other. The service can be in any form tailoring to the needs of one to whom it is rendered. The streamline of all three readings today is ‘service’. In the first reading Abram identifies the holy men in the three persons and runs to offer them rest and refreshment before they could proceed from him. In the second reading it is evident that St. Paul was willing to suffer any amount on account of his service in proclaiming Christ so that he might present everyone mature in Christ. In the Gospel reading two women serve Jesus with two different services. Martha prepares meal and Mary sits at Jesus’ feet to listen to him. Martha was preoccupied with the thought that Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus without rendering her a helping hand. Jesus says, “Mary has chosen the good portion” because she was acute in listening without any other preoccupation. Had Martha not complained about Mary, Jesus might have said, “Martha too has chosen the good portion”.

Service demands an undivided attention for its fruitfulness befitting the capacity and the caliber of the person who renders. God does not ask us to do anything beyond our strength but within our reach and all in love like Abram, Sarah, St. Paul and Mary. No comparison and compromises but a whole hearted service all in love is what God desires and that is the best portion. Let us do all we can with love and care. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill my heart with your love”.

Bible Reflections I 15.07.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 15

Readings 

           I - Is. 38: 1-6, 21-22, 7-8

          II - Mt. 12: 1 - 8 

                           

GOD DESIRES MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE

In today’s Gospel passage, the hungry disciples pluck ears of corn to eat and this was accused by the Pharisees as violation of Sabbath. Jesus defends his disciples quoting the violation done by David and his companions; and the priests in the temple. Jesus picks up this opportunity to enlighten the Pharisees on the truth about Temple, Sabbath and Sacrifice. Temple signifies the presence of God and the purpose of Sabbath was to abstain from work so as to be present to the Lord in prayer and worship. The Pharisees made Sabbath a burden with so many rules and thereby making the life of the common man difficult and cumbersome. Jesus intervenes and educates that the best offering in which God delights is mercy and compassion. 

We are no different from the Pharisees. We wish to be meticulous in our rituals, rubrics, rules and traditions. Days of fasting, pilgrimage, penance and offering take precedence in our life than mercy, compassion and concern for the suffering neighbour. Today’s Gospel passage is an invitation to examine our acts of piety whether they are backed by concern for humanity, if not, convert your practices unto the demands of the teachings of the Gospel. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to be compassionate and kind towards our needy brethren”.

Bible Reflections I 14.07.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 15

Readings 

           I - Is. 26: 7-9, 12, 16-19

          II - Mt. 11: 28 - 30 

                           

BECOME MEEK AND GENTLE

As followers of Christ, in carrying out his command of love: “love one another as I have loved you” (Jn. 13: 34) one may have to experience and endure sufferings, pain, tortures, isolations, misunderstanding, persecutions and setbacks. This is the yoke and the heavy burden encountered on account of Jesus. But there is always joy in this suffering because it is an expression of our love for Jesus who loved us to the point of giving his life for us. Anything done in and out of love is a burden that is light and easy. In today’s Gospel passage Jesus invites these his people to come and rest in his love that is comforting and consoling.   

Jesus was a sign of contradiction to the upper class society. All good accomplished by him were undermined as violation of law. He was purposely underestimated in all his mighty works. But Jesus was unperturbed and went about doing good because he was gentle and humble. We will also be able to bear the burden on account of him and bear witness to his love, only if we are humble and gentle. Let us pray for this grace as we keep repeating this prayer throughout the day: “Gentle Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours”

Bible Reflections I 13.07.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 15

Readings 

           I - Is. 10: 5-7, 13-16

          II - Mt. 11: 25 - 27 

                           

BECOME LITTLE CHILDREN OF JESUS

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus blesses the Father for revealing the salvation in Jesus to mere children. The children here refers to the sinners, tax collectors, the crowd, the women, the Samaritans and the ordinary people. These people were able to discover the Promised Messiah in Jesus because of their simplicity and humility of heart as that of little children. The learned and the clever viz. the Scribes, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Chief Priests and the elders, in their pride and prejudice missed the Messiah in Jesus.  

Simplicity submits to the truth. Humility accepts the truth. Pride and prejudice obstacles the truth. We often tend to judge and condemn people because of our focus upon ourselves. Let go ‘ego’ in order to become humble, simple and pleasing children of God to appreciate and accept all things as they come. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to give up my ego in order to gain the truth”

Bible Reflections I 12.07.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 15

Readings 

           I - Is. 7: 1-9

          II - Mt. 11: 20 - 24 

                           

READ, RECOGNISE AND REVERE

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus denounces the cities that failed to repent even after witnessing most of his mighty works. The bible says that God scatters the proud hearted (Lk. 1: 51). On the roads of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum Jesus performed so many miracles and alas! In their proud of heart they never relented to repent. The ruins found today bears testimony to the words of Jesus. Had these miracles been done in the pagan cities of Tyre, Sidon and Sodom, they would have turned from their wickedness and yielded to repentance.  

A grateful heart counts the blessings of God in almost all things while the proud heart takes everything for granted. In this light let us examine our lives. We know how God had been so gracious towards us even at our crucial moments still when the time comes requiring our faith and trust in him we fail like Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Read every moment of our lives, Recognise God’s mighty presence even in the very insignificant thing and Revere Him for His benevolence and mercy. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Thank you Jesus”.

Bible Reflections I 11.07.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 15

Readings 

           I - Is. 1: 10-17

          II - Mt. 10: 34 - 11:1 

                           

THREE R’S INVOLVED IN FOLLOWING THE LORD

According to the Gospel passage of the day, the three R’s involved in following the Lord are: Risk in following, Resoluteness in the following and Reward in the following. The risk in following is that we might have to conflict our own family members on account of the Gospel values; and become a foe to our own father and mother for whom we are so dear. We must be resolute in our following even at the cost of losing our parents in order to become worthy of Christ’s followers. But the reward to such following worth losing anything on this earth. Because the Gospel reading of the day says that even the one the offers a cup of cold water to the follower of Christ receives a righteous person’s reward and much more to the one who follows: a hundredfold here and eternal life in the next (Mk. 10: 30).

Following the Lord is a risk, a risk of losing everything and everyone on this earth. But dare to be resolute in the following because the reward is greater in heaven. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to stand for the Gospel values”.

Bible Reflections I 10.07.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 15

Readings 

           I - Deu. 30: 10-14

          II - Col. 1: 15-20 

         III - Lk. 10: 25-37 

                           

LOVE GOD IN THE NEIGHBOUR 

In the first reading Moses exhorts the people to obey God in the observance of His commandments viz. to love the Lord God with the mind, heart, soul and strength. The people of Israel talked about the law when they sat home, talking while walking along the road, they were reminded when they sat down or got up, had them as symbols on their hands and bound them on their foreheads (Deu. 6: 8). Therefore as Moses says they need not go far off nor beyond the sea to hear his commands.  

Jesus is the Word made flesh and as St. Paul says in the second reading, Jesus is the image of the unseen God. Jesus the Son of God adds one more quoting from Leviticus, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Lev. 19:18), the crux of the Ten Commandments: Love of God and Love of Neighbour and marks as methodology to inherit eternal life. Jesus in the Gospel passage of the day explains the lawyer about who is our neighbour. Our neighbour is the one in need of our help. Today we are prone to help only whom we know and do not want to risk ourselves helping others as did the Samaritan in the Gospel. We either concentrate more on clicking ‘selfies’ and making them viral or crave for creating publicity in extending our helping hand. Jesus today exhorts us to love God in our neighbours for inheriting eternal life.

Bible Reflections I 09.07.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Is. 6: 1-8 

          II - Mt. 10: 24-33 

                           

STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus equips the disciples with every detail of the consequences of following him. He predicts the possibilities of disheartening and desolate moments that they have to encounter. He also encourages them with his own life example of how he is being branded though he was the Son of God and was going about doing only good. Jesus highlights their preciousness, worth and assured protection of God saying: “even the hairs of your head are all numbers” and invites them to dare to be his followers in their words and deeds.

We are the followers of Jesus Christ our Lord. I know quite a number of Christians who endure the pain of branding, isolation, harassment, tortures and troubles because they are honest, truthful, loving, kind and upright; and shun from being carried away by the current. Yet, are joyful and convinced of values that they stand for. Take courage! The sufferings on account of Christ will merit serenity and peace in this life and an eternal joy and glory in the life to come. For those Christians who are prone to the flow of current let the Gospel passage inspire to reposition their life to align as per the Gospel requirement. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give us the courage to stand for your values”.

Bible Reflections I 08.07.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Hos. 14: 1-9 

          II - Mt. 10: 16-23 

                           

THE GOSPEL IS A SIGN OF CONTRADICTION

There is always a steadfast strife between good and bad, virtue and vices, and light and darkness. One always trying to overpower the other. In today’s Gospel passage Jesus gives a terrible metaphor to portray the sufferings that a disciple has to undergo on account of proclaiming the Gospel message of freedom, fraternity and Justice amidst the world of selfishness, slavery and injustice: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves”. Jesus cautions the disciples about the challenges and the risks that they had to endure even from their family members on account of the apostolic endeavour. But Jesus encourages and enthuses them with the assurance of the presence of the Holy Spirit with them to assist and guide them. 

The Good News is the sign of contradiction for it says: to love the neighbour as oneself (Mt. 22:39), to love the enemies (Mt. 5: 44), to pray for those who persecute (5: 44), to be peace makers (Mt. 5:9)... The Christian living should reflect the selfless life of Christ that is incongruent and incompatible with the selfish driven world. Therefore credible Christian living inherits persecutions and sufferings for its followers. Stand sturdy for the Spirit of the Lord is with us to assist and guide us. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to follow you with a resolute mind and heart”

Bible Reflections I 07.07.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Hos. 11: 1-4, 8-9 

          II - Mt. 10: 7-15 

                           

THE PPT OF DISCIPLESHIP

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus speaks about the PPT of discipleship: Proclaiming the Good News, Performing miracles and Trusting in the Providence.  After choosing the disciples Jesus commissions them to go and proclaim that the Kingdom of God was at hand.  He gives them power to perform miracles: to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and to cast out demons. Jesus exhorts them for an utmost trust in the Providence than concentrating on even the basic requirements viz. bag, tunics, sandals or a staff.

Only those who trust in the Lord will be able to focus on God and his work than on themselves.  Don Bosco accommodated countless boys as they entered his oratory, Mother Theresa embraced so many destitute of Calcutta and the huge Christian Medical College was a humble beginning of Ida Scudder.  These disciples of Jesus placed their trust not on themselves but on God and through their lives proclaimed the Gospel effectively loud and clear.  If we trust in the Lord and abandon unto Him, our lives would become a powerful proclamation of the Gospel, making miracles in the lives of many.  Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, I trust in you”

Bible Reflections I 06.07.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Hos. 10: 1-3, 7-8, 12 

          II - Mt. 10: 1-7 

                           

CHOSEN WITH A COMMISSION

The Gospel according to St. Mark says, “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him” (Mk. 3: 13). The disciples were purely of the choice of Jesus. These disciples might not have been the best choice to be counted for the ultimate core group but Jesus chooses these people. To the chosen twelve Jesus with the delegation of authority summons them to cast out unclean spirits, cure the disease and to heal the sick. But the appeared to be unworthy choice of disciples, after the resurrection of Jesus dared to proclaim about him even at the cost of their lives. 

We are specially chosen by Jesus through our Baptism with the commission to become the messengers of the Good News viz. love, peace and joy. Can we say that in our presence there is always love, peace and joy? Pray for the grace of God to help us become credible Christians and the followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help us to become the effective messengers of the Good News”.

Bible Reflections I 05.07.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Hos. 8: 4-7, 11-13 

          II - Mt. 9: 32-38 

                           

FOCUS ON DOING GOOD

Today’s Gospel passage is about two types of reactions towards the healing of a demoniac who was also mute, The crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel” but the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of demons he casts out demons”. Jesus was neutral to both the comments and was concerned about his mission and ministry. His focus was always in doing good to the people. He had great compassion on the crowds that was harassed and helpless and asked the people to pray to God for many more people to be sent to work for them.  

We are very particular at the remarks made at us. We do not wish to be negatively commented. We desire for positive and elating comments. Our focus often is on name, fame, popularity and publicity. Through this Gospel passage Jesus inspires us to seek reward from above and not from the people around us by fixing our focus on accomplishing all that God wants of us. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be focused on things from above”.

Bible Reflections I 04.07.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Hos. 2: 16-18, 21-22 

          II - Mt. 9: 18-26 

                           

FAITH AND POSITIVITY MAKE MIRACLE HAPPEN

Faith and positivity are intertwined. Where there is faith there will also be positivity and vice versa. Positivity and faith make miracles happen. In today’s Gospel passage, both the leader of the synagogue and the woman suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years had firm faith and were positively determined that the miracle would happen: “My daughter will live” and “I will be made well”. Miracle did happen. The girl was raised to life and the woman was made well. 

In the letter of St. James we read, “You must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the see, blown and tossed by the wind” (Jas. 1:6). When the prayers are not answered, examine the quality of belief that the request will be granted. In the silence of our hearts let us repeat the prayer of the man who brought the possessed boy to Jesus for healing as often as possible: “Lord I believe, help my unbelief” (Mk. 9: 24)

Bible Reflections I 03.07.2022 - SUNDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 14

Readings 

           I - Is. 66: 10-14 

          II - Gal. 6: 14-18 

         III - Lk. 10: 1-12, 17-20

                  

ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE

Today the Church celebrates the fest of St. Thomas, the ardent apostle of Jesus and the apostle of India, Who walked on the shores of Kerala and Chennai proclaiming the good news. He belonged to simple fishers’ folk from Galilee and was called by Jesus to follow him. That he did whole heartedly and showed even greater courage and generosity than the other eleven.

 

When Jesus told, “Let us go to Judea”, Thomas solemnly stated “Let us go too and die with him”. The doubting disciple was not one to say that he had understood when in fact he had not. When Jesus said. “You know the way to the place where I am going”, Thomas retorted saying “Lord we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way”.  

The straight forward reaction of St. Thomas to the testimony of his companions regarding the resurrection of the Lord, “unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and put my finger into the holes they made and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe”. When finally Jesus appeared to St. Thomas, he confirmed his faith saying, “My Lord and my God”. The feast enlighten on the fact that the slow surrender of St. Thomas is more comforting and strengthening to our faith than the ready acceptance of the believing apostles. From a doubter of the Lord and from a feeble faith, God had transformed the faith of St. Thomas into one that was firm and true, to the point that he was even ready to lay down his life for the sake of the Lord and standing true to his faith. May we pick up inspirations from St. Thomas, the apostle to transcend from our human frailties with utmost acceptance, for a greater transformation.

Bible Reflections I 02.07.2022 - SATURDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 13

Readings 

           I - Amos 9: 11-15

          II - Mt. 9: 14-17

                  

BE OPEN TO THE TRUTH

The Gospel passage of the day is about the disciples of John the Baptist questioning Jesus why his disciples do not fast while the disciples of the Pharisees and John the Baptist fast. Self-righteousness and close-mindedness prevented the disciples of John the Baptist from discovering the long awaited Messiah in Jesus. In their self-righteousness, they focused on fasting than on the reality that was happening. They were close-minded that they failed to discover the Messiah in Jesus though they witnessed the deaf hear, dumb speak, lame walk and the dead being raised to life. 

If we fail to read the reality with an open mind and heart, holding fast to self-righteousness, we will like the disciples of John the Baptist will certainly end up in missing the truth. Being first Saturday, we remember our Blessed Mother Mary today. She was the humble handmaid of the Lord, yielding herself unto God’s will with an open mind and heart. In her humility and pliability brought forth the saviour to world. May mother Mary help us to be humble and adaptable to accept the truth as it come.

Bible Reflections I 01.07.2022 - FRIDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 13

Readings 

           I - Amos 8: 4-6, 9-12

          II - Mt. 9: 9-13

                  

EMBRACE EVERYONE IN LOVE

Only an architect can see a marvelous statue in the mass of a stone, only an architect can see an awesome art in the collage of colors, and only a potter can see his magnificent masterpiece in the mere clay. The invisible is visible to these persons because they are passionate about their interests and visionaries of their profession. Today’s Gospel passage is about the call of Matthew the tax collector. To the eyes of the people around Matthew was a tax collector and a sinner. But Jesus saw a disciple in the person of Matthew. He invites him to be his follower, goes to dine with him, befriends him with his love and acceptance, and where after Matthew becomes Jesus’ disciple and an evangelist.  

Branding and labeling people are not uncommon these days. We are rash in our judgment of people and are quick in branding them negatively. This might curb the personalities and doom them to destruction. Like Jesus our Master, promote and foster life. Understand, accept, encourage, motivate and appreciate others so that they can actualise their potential and grow up to be someone in alignment with the Plan of God. For this we need a loving heart like Jesus, our Lord, Being the first Friday, let us as Jesus, to give us a large heart like him to embrace all and exclude none. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours”.

Bible Reflections I 30.06.2022 - THURSDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 13

Readings 

           I - Acts 7: 10-17

          II - Mt. 9: 1-8

                  

TO APPRECIATE IS TO GLORIFY GOD

There are various ways of responding to the good accomplished. Self-righteous people find fault, proud people ignore, and simple people esteem. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus makes the paralytic walk - a miracle indeed. The jealousy of the proud and self-righteous scribes prevented them from looking beyond to appreciate Jesus. At the same time, the crowd around, the simple people, glorified God for such a miraculous act of Jesus.  

Often we are unable to appreciate others because of our pride, jealousy, selfishness, ego, and the attitude of self-righteousness. Through these attitudes of ours, we make life difficult for ourselves and others. This is why Jesus says, “Unless you become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 18:3). Appreciating is not only value addition to others but we add value to ourselves and glorify God as well. Let the Gospel passage help us to enlighten us to appreciate the good in others. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me a great heart to go beyond myself and value others”.

Bible Reflections I 29.06.2022 - WEDNESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 13

Readings 

           I - Acts 12: 1-11

          II - 2 Tim. 4: 6-8, 17-18

         III - Mt. 16: 13-19

                  

PETER AND PAUL, Apostles (Solemnity)

Today the Church solemnises the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, the pillars of the Church. Peter was a fisherman and Paul was a Jewish fanatic. Peter did not have much for his credential while Paul was a learned Jew hailing from a sophisticated family. God chose both of them with a special mission for each of them: Peter to be the leader of the Church and the apostle to the Jews and Paul to be the apostle of the Gentiles. But both of them were ardent apostles, vehement preachers of the Good News, and above all courageous martyrs for Christ. They proclaimed Christ convincingly that it infuriated the religious leaders who instigated the government officials to get away with them. As a result, St. Peter was crucified upside down and St. Paul was beheaded. Both of them endured all hardships with a hope of an eternal crown of glory that awaited them in Paradise.  

Peter convincingly says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68). Paul daringly declares, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Let the celebration of the feast help us to stand by the Word of the Lord and live by the example of the legendry Christian living of St. Paul. The day is also celebrated as Pope’s Day. Offer generous prayers for our Holy Father Pope Francis and the Church as well. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus, bless our Church and bless our Pope”.

Bible Reflections I 28.06.2022 - TUESDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 13

Readings 

           I - Amos 3: 1-8, 4: 11-12

          II - Mt. 8: 23-27

                  

PROVE YOUR FAITH 

Today’s Gospel passage is about Jesus calming the sea. The windstorm that arose on the sea besides battering the boat shattered the faith of the disciples as well. With the wonder worker and the miracle maker in their boat they would have neither feared nor worried, but woke up the Lord of life saying, “Lord save us! We are perishing”. This is why Jesus calls them“People of little faith”.

God strengthens us with the assurance of “I am with you” statements throughout the Scripture. Perhaps we have even experienced the amazing presence of God amidst us at all times of trials and difficulties. Still when we encounter any problem we are prone to give up our faith yielding ourselves into the grip fear. Stop being agitated and anxious, stand sturdy in the Lord and prove your faith in him for we are his loving children and never will he let us to be perished. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer, “Lord Jesus give us the gift of faith”

Bible Reflections I 27.06.2022 - MONDAY I INDRAYA MANNA I

Ordinary Time: Week 13

Readings 

           I - Amos 2: 6-10, 13-16

          II - Mt. 8: 18-22

                  

FOLLOW THE LORD... 

Today’s Gospel reading is about following the Lord with utmost availability and undivided heart. The Scribe wishes to follow Jesus and Jesus, instead of responding him with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’, explains the uncertainty of the availability of even the basic needs, meaning to express the hardship involved in following him. To the other one who consented to follow him after burying his parents, Jesus says, “leave the dead to bury their own dead”, meaning to say that the discipleship demands for an undivided heart that has no other focus but the life, teaching and the mission of Jesus.    

As Christians we are called to be the disciples of Jesus following him in his life and teaching. This demands singleness and seriousness of purpose. Singleness of purpose is to live like him despite all risks and sufferings. Seriousness of purpose is to be concerned about living the teachings of the Lord. Let us be ready to take up any risk concerning to live by the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus give me the courage to follow you at all times”.