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Unsplash (Julian Gentile)
November 14, 2024
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We often think of faith as belief or trust, which it is, but have you ever thought of faith as endurance? I’m beginning to think endurance and perseverance are a big part of the faith picture. Let’s begin with this bracing statement: “When you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials.” Yikes! Why is that? It’s the mystery of the Cross.
“For the joy that lay before him, he [Jesus] endured the Cross.” The Scriptures (and quotes from the Saints) that support my thesis just cascade like an uncontrollable waterfall.
Do you sometimes feel like Job, or do you know someone suffering like Job? Everything seems to go wrong for them, often all at once, and even the simplest things aren’t easy for them? One of the first temptations we have is to compare ourselves (or the person we know) with others. Why is life so hard for you/them and seemingly so easy for others? Again, a mystery.
What we know for certain, is that God only permits what will be for our ultimate good. God only allows whatever He can and will bring great good out of for us, even if that’s later rather than sooner. And this is what can stretch our faith to the breaking point. This is what challenges our endurance. And on top of it all, Job’s “friends” offered him only blame, accusations and clichés, when they should have sat with him in silence, friendship and compassion.
“The testing of your faith produces perseverance.” “Do not grow weary in doing good…for at the proper time we will reap…if we don’t give in.” Connected to endurance and perseverance are patience and waiting. Patience and waiting can be frustrating because it feels like we’re not doing anything. It feels too passive. And yet, Who are we waiting on? The One who can fix everything.
This is not to say we should sit on our hands or practice the heresy of Quietism. We are called to “the life of good works,” “faith expressing itself in love,” and “it’s not those who say: ‘Lord, Lord!’ who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but those who do the will of my heavenly Father.”
But when we’ve done everything we can, when we are truly helpless in front of a situation, we are never hopeless. Our Lord is always active. “Wait on the Lord and he will act.” “Wait for the Lord with courage. Be stouthearted and wait for the Lord.” “The designs of his heart will endure.” “We are his children…if we suffer with him, that we may be glorified with him.” “To him who remains faithful, I will give the crown of life.”
Our life has only one purpose: to get to Heaven, and Heaven is not automatic (hint: “Enter by the narrow gate”). We have no other goal. It’s not about here and now, it’s about there and then. “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” Heaven is where “every tear will be wiped away.” “Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal” –St. Thomas More. “Heaven is a bargain, no matter the cost” –Blessed Fr. James Alberione. Focusing on Heaven always, but especially when times are tough and even desperate, can be a consolation in itself. “There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still” –Corrie Ten Boom. Looking at eternity puts everything in proper perspective.
Our world and our Church are experiencing very troubled times. Some have even described it as collectively entering Our Lord’s Passion. Should we be surprised? Jesus told us times like these would come, and when they do: “Look up, for your redemption is near at hand.” Ask God for His divine “peace that passes understanding” for whatever you are facing, whatever you fear most.
Faith is a matter of time. Healing is a matter of time. Justice is a matter of time. We know that at the end of time, Our Lord will renew the heavens and the earth. There will be no sorrow. There will be no sin or illness or death or strife or evil or war. The righteous will be vindicated and rewarded. We are waiting for Him, and He “will not delay.” It’s just a matter of time. Can you hang on?
Sr. Helena Raphael Burns, fsp, is a Daughter of St. Paul. She holds a Masters in Media Literacy Education and studied screenwriting at UCLA. HellBurns.com Twitter: @srhelenaburns #medianuns
(Sr. Helena Raphael Burns, FSP, is a Daughter of St. Paul. She holds a Masters in Media Literacy Education and studied screenwriting at UCLA. HellBurns.com Twitter: @srhelenaburns #medianuns)
A version of this story appeared in the November 17, 2024, issue of The Catholic Registerwith the headline "Hang on – Heaven is on its way".
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