In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus’ seemingly harsh treatment to a Canaanite woman in the end brought out the best in her. She was determined no matter what and she got what she asked for. Jesus said of her: “O Woman great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour.

What is courage? How do we acquire this virtue?

Courage or Fortitude is one of the Cardinal Virtues, CCC 1808 defines it as “the Moral Virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good.” We all need courage in order to live uprightly and with dignity especially as followers of Jesus. Only in faith with Jesus Christ that we can live our faith with courage and perseverance, not with fear and retreat.

Last June, I had an opportunity to watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy for the 13-hour flight from Los Angeles to Manila and back. This Sunday’s Readings reminded me of the Eucharistic symbolism of this movie, especially the Lembas bread that strengthened Frodo and Sam’s bodies and spirit as they journeyed through the darkness of Modor.