Perseverance

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 18:1-8

In the Philippines, we have a wise saying: "Kung may tiyaga, may nilaga", the Filipino translation of "No pain, no gain."  With perseverance we can gain anything. 

With perseverance we can gain anything.

The point is we don't have patience and perseverance.  In an age of automatic processes at the push of a button, we tend to be more impatient with systems.  Consequently, we also lose patience with people, with the Church, and most specially, with God.

The readings reflect various elements of perseverance.  In the First Reading, Moses, in his old age, had to lift his arms so Israel could win against the Amalekites.  Aaron and Hur had to help him.  Grace builds on nature; we need lots of perseverance given our limited human nature.

In the second reading, Paul reminded Timothy, "You must be faithful to what you have been taught and know to be true." Faithfulness is a sign of perseverance.  The faithful friend stands by us through thick and thin and through highs and lows of life.

Third, the cross is a sure sign of perseverance.  Imagine all the sufferings Jesus had to go through to gain our salvation.

Those who persevere in the faith attain their true goal - to be holy and perfect men and women in God.