| Tuesday, November 13, 2001 Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin - Memorial |
||
|
Hey, Steven ... is the above quote acceptable?
And from ... well, you should know by now ...
"Being faithful to God is so hard these days. Is it really worth the effort?" The question arises often in our world, where dramatic technological advances tend to accompany sharp declines in moral values and family life. But this is not just a modern question. Believers have been struggling with this issue for thousands of years! The first readers of the Book of Wisdom--Jews living in Egypt in the first century B.C.--were no exception. Faithfulness is always rewarded. Even in trials, disasters, and death, the just are "in the hand of God" and "will abide with him in love" (Wisdom 3:1,9).
It's easy enough to be faithful when things go our way. But how do we bear up under hardship? How do we react when, despite our best efforts, the devil seems to win all the battles? Realizing that things are bigger than we can handle, we can pray like never before. We can begin to recognize challenges and hardships as opportunities to take God at his word. And if we can see our trials as a way of being "disciplined a little" on our way to the "great good" of eternal life (Wisdom 3:5), we can make the hard choices that would be just plain silly if Jesus hadn't risen from the dead.
Consider the decisions that such faith has inspired in other Christians. St. Paul gave up everything he once held dear in order to follow Christ, even when his "yes" led to rejection, beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonment!
Choices like these aren't just for the heroes of faith like Paul. Many Christians embrace the folly of the cross in more ordinary ways. Think about those who have lost their jobs but still put money in the poor box, trusting in the Father's provision. Or what about someone who has been hurt deeply by a close friend and yet responds with prayers and forgiveness instead of hatred and bitterness? The examples are numerous, and each one of them would seem pure foolishness but for the promises of Christ.
We face similar choices at every turn. Can we believe in the resurrection enough to choose God's logic of love over the logic of the world?
"Heavenly Father, I trust you and surrender my every need into your loving hands. Pour your wisdom into my life and help me to make the hard choices for your sake."
--------------------
Have a great day, everyone!