Homily: February 12-2024, Monday of the sixth week in Ordinary time (Preserverenace)

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“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

A good friend of mine battled with addiction to drugs and alcohol for many years. Finally, he was able to give up his destructive habits and began walking with the Lord.

Was it all smooth and easy? No.

He faced many other struggles in his new life. Often, he was tempted to go back to his old ways, with thoughts that his life with drugs and alcohol was more carefree. He knew it was a lie.

He then began to involve himself in various ministries in his parish church to serve the Lord.

Was it all smooth and easy then? No.

He experienced many disagreements and arguments within the ministries.

Why is it that serving God seemed to make life more difficult? Shouldn’t we be rewarded with a good and easy life?

If we look at Abraham, we see that he had to go through many trials and challenges in obeying God’s call. He did not have it easy. The apostles too, in following Jesus, faced many, many persecutions.

Did any of them give up their mission?

No. They persevered. And they considered it a joy to suffer trials for their faith.

St. Peter wrote in his first epistle to the early Christian communities, “In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, ...may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

My parents were very faithful and pious Catholics. They followed God’s commandments and all religious practices strictly. That made our lives as their children more challenging and harder because my siblings and I were expected to lead the same disciplined life. I would often envy my friends whose families were not strict. Their lives seemed easier, and they were happier children.

My parents simply encouraged us that our way was the right way, pleasing to God. Looking back, I now understand, agree and appreciate what my parents had instilled in us. Their faithfulness and perseverance have formed in me my own faithfulness to God and perseverance in my faith journey, my vocation, and my life in general.

Just as my parents did not let us have it the easy way, so that our formation takes shape in our lives, so God will not remove the trials and tests in our spiritual journey, so that we will be formed into the saints and holy souls which we are all called to be.

As we walk on in life, closer to the Lord each day, and when doubts, challenges and hardships hit us and tempt us to shake our faith, let us not give up, let us ask for the grace of perseverance and a joyful disposition to face our trials. Amen.


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