Is it easy to remain steadfast and to grow in holiness everyday? No It is not! Not even if you were saintly, maybe even worse for you if you were. I for one struggle each and every day because there are distractions everywhere and innate desires within that when left unchecked can grow out of control. Loved ones and often it is those closest to me are the ones who will try my patience and my faith in my Lord. So why even bother when it is so much easier to do as I please? Well simply put, it is because I have had a foretaste of the kingdom of God, of walking in His presence, living in His peace and love. And there is nothing more precious in this world!
So even when I fall and I do so many times! Wanting to kick myself for repeating the same mistakes; I pick myself up and fall on my knees before my Lord, plead for forgiveness and the grace to do better. Then I continue strive each time to improve. It is a marathon and as the Lord reminds us today, endurance will win us eternal life with Him.
Lord forgive me a sinner, help me to remain steadfast in Your love and in your presence. Teach and guide me in all that I must say and do. Amen
First reading
Apocalypse 15:1-4 ·
The victors sang the hymn of Moses and of the Lamb
What I, John, saw in heaven was a great and wonderful sign: seven angels were bringing the seven plagues that are the last of all, because they exhaust the anger of God. I seemed to see a glass lake suffused with fire, and standing by the lake of glass, those who had fought against the beast and won, and against his statue and the number which is his name. They all had harps from God, and they were singing the hymn of Moses, the servant of God, and of the Lamb:
‘How great and wonderful are all your works,
Lord God Almighty;
just and true are all your ways,
King of nations.
Who would not revere and praise your name, O Lord?
You alone are holy,
and all the pagans will come and adore you
for the many acts of justice you have shown.’
Gospel
Luke 21:12-19
Your endurance will win you your lives
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’
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