January 28, 2005 Perserverance

Perserverance Heb 10:32-39

Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated. You even joined in the
sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation
of your property, knowing that you had a
better and lasting possession.Therefore, do not throw away your confidence;
it will have great recompense. You need endurance to do the will of God
and receive what he has promised.

For, after just a brief moment, he who is to come shall come;
he shall not delay. But my just one shall live by faith,
and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him.

We are not among those who draw back and perish,
but among those who have faith and will possess life.

The first reading for the mass today is a great inspiration for me.
I am embarking on the start of a new ministry. As I sort through the
priorities and the list of imperatives that I must review or relearn in
a brief time, I know that with God all things are possible. All good
works for God come with a struggle of some sort. I need to remember
to stand up and have faith and to not be tempted to fall back
into the easier way. I also need to always keep in my heart the
suffering of those who have much greater trials than I do today.