PATIENT ENDURANCE
During this last week of the
Church year we need to truly ponder about our lives and our faith. Are we
living a life of faith?
Our reading from the Book of Daniel has given
an expression to our language: "The handwriting is on the wall" (cf.
Dn 5:5). Today, the expression means that there are signs, which a person ought
to understand. For example, a small business may be doing so poorly that
bankruptcy is inevitable. One day the owner reluctantly admits, "The
handwriting is on the wall."
King Belshazzar literally sees a wrist and
hand writing on the wall. Daniel tells him that his days are numbered. Where
else but here in church do we get such constant and continual reminders about
our mortality and the importance of our lives here and now? And where else do
we hear that same life brought into perspective by recognizing that, short as
it is, the way in which we live our lives is vital for eternity? Daniel is
brought in while the king and his lords are profaning the vessels taken from
the temple in Jerusalem. And not only that, but they're using them at the
banquet and toasting to false gods. The king had become spiritually bankrupt.
The division and loss of his kingdom were inevitable.
Daniel's wisdom and speech are highlighted in
several stories throughout his Book. He literally fulfills what Jesus tells the
people in Luke's Gospel: "Remember, you are not to prepare your defense
beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your
adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute" (Lk 21:14-15).
Jesus also speaks of signs, of handwriting,
which are of a different kind. He wants His followers to know that just as the
People of God had been persecuted in the past, they too will be. This
persecution is to be a sign that God is calling them to patient endurance and a
deep faith that such suffering will lead them to everlasting life. The message
found amidst persecution is that they, and we, are not to become discourage or
give up.
In today's society, our persecution is of a
different kind. It may be the tensions people feel as they try to keep a
marriage and home together. It may be pressures all around us to give in to the
values of a materialistic society. It may be personal discouragement or
thinking our presence is not helping when someone is in need.
During this last week of the Church year we
need to truly ponder about our lives and our faith. Are we living a life of
faith? Last Sunday was the Feast of Christ the King. This week is a good time
to think about our goals and dreams for our lives. We do not need to put our
trust just in our career and plans for retirement, but rather, place our trust
in Jesus our King; trusting that He is a part of our daily lives and we don't
have to do it alone. God is with us always on this journey of faith and He welcomes
us to be a part of His Kingdom!
Patient
endurance really spoke to me, what about you