Fear is a common denominator among us. Between superior and servant, the ability to serve and to please is the best way to alleviate fear while fostering greater trust.

When serving others, we are beset with a litany of fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of strangers of whom we neither know nor have control of, the fear of loss, or alternatively, of overabundance, the fear of not having enough, and of the fear of what tomorrow may bring, among many others.

Unnecessary fear can point towards illness whereas legitimate fear can impel a person towards action, whether remedial or of safeguarding.

Jesus is preparing his disciples to be discerning when confronted by a world with hostile standards. He asks His disciples to leave their comfort zone to enter into the unknown, to take risks in encountering people who may doubt God and guide them to hope in good work. They are to raise the downtrodden, and to live the values which Jesus exemplified with courage and openness (v 25 - v 27).

Our current environment can be hostile (v 25). How are we to make the right decisions, especially with the advent of AI?

But, we are not to be afraid (v 28), because Jesus assures us that God the Father watches over us (v 29 - v 31), and sends the Holy Spirit to guide us along the way. We carry our own crosses, following Jesus on the road, restoring our true worth as disciples who are capable of making responsible decisions and forming others to discern.