The Courage To Step Up

Reflection Date: October 03, 2026 | Saturday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17; Luke 10:17-24

Children of God:
On September 18, 2026, a shooting happened inside Banga National High School in Banga, South Cotabato, leaving three students dead, including the shooter, and six others wounded. 

During the chaos, a Grade 9 student identified in reports as Brian Pamunag confronted the student who was firing at his classmates. Reports said Brian kicked the gunman, causing him to move backward, and then closed a door to create protection for his classmates. 

The gunman fired and Brian was wounded in the hand, but he continued trying to help the other students escape. When the gunman moved toward a window, Brian and his classmates broke the window at the back so other students could get out. 

The incident happened shortly after 1 p.m., and classes were suspended as authorities responded to the tragedy. 

South Cotabato officials later described Brian's actions as an example of courage during an extremely dangerous situation. 

News reports described him as a wounded student who fought back in an effort to save his classmates. 

The tragedy also prompted renewed calls for school safety, while authorities investigated how the minor involved obtained and brought a firearm into the school.

The story of Brian is painful because it happened in a place that should have been safe: a school where young people came to learn, make friends, and dream about their future. 

Yet in the middle of fear and confusion, one student chose to act for the sake of others. 

In the gospel story today, the disciples returned to Jesus after their mission. 

They were happy because they experienced power and success, but Jesus redirected their attention toward something deeper: not merely what they accomplished, but their relationship with God.

What are our inspirations for today? 

First, courage means doing what is needed when someone needs you.

The disciples returned to Jesus with joy because they experienced remarkable things during their mission. 

Jesus listened to them, but he redirected their excitement by saying, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky” (Luke 10:18). He acknowledged what they experienced, but he did not allow them to remain focused only on power and achievement.

Courage is often misunderstood as the absence of fear. But courage becomes meaningful precisely because fear is present. 

A person who is never afraid does not necessarily demonstrate courage; courage appears when a person recognizes danger and still chooses to do what is necessary.

Of course, we do not need to place ourselves in a dangerous situation to practice courage. 

Every day, courage can mean speaking up when someone is being bullied, defending someone who is being treated unfairly, asking for help when something is wrong, reporting a dangerous situation, or standing beside someone who feels alone.

Courage means doing what is needed when someone needs you.

Second, the greatest joy comes from knowing that our lives matter to God.

Jesus told the disciples not to rejoice merely because they possessed power. 

Instead, he said, “Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). 

Jesus moved their attention away from what they could do and toward who they were before God.

This is important because success can easily become an addiction. We want more recognition, more followers, more accomplishments, more praise, and more proof that we matter. We can begin measuring our worth by what other people notice about us. 

But the gospel offers a deeper foundation for our identity.

The gospel invites all of us to remember that our worth does not depend on applause. Before we accomplish anything, before anyone recognizes us, and even when nobody notices us, we remain known and loved by God.

The greatest joy comes from knowing that our lives matter to God.

As we reflect, we ask ourselves: How do I respond when another person needs courage, help, or protection from me? 

Am I measuring my worth mainly by recognition and achievement, or do I remember that my deepest identity comes from being loved by God? What opportunity do I have today to use my strength, voice, time, or presence for the good of another person?

Children of God:
The disciples in the gospel discovered that their mission was not ultimately about power or recognition. 

Jesus reminded them that their deepest joy came from belonging to God. 

May we learn to recognize the moments when courage is being asked of us. 

May we also remember that our value does not depend on how many people notice what we do. 

And may our courage always be guided by love, wisdom, and concern for the dignity and safety of others.