2nd Sunday of Lent 28.2.21 Encouragement
The disciples get discouraged easily. On Holy Thursday night they flee, and even on Easter Sunday they are still afraid and discouraged.
It took so long for them to grasp the Resurrection, and even when given a boost at Pentecost many drifted away.
When the initial enthusiasm wears off, faith can disappear.
And ever since that time there have been people who gained the faith, but then lost it again.
They allowed themselves to cool off, something which could
happen to anyone who does not maintain the discipline. A boiling pot of water
will cool off if the source of heat is removed.
We have to keep praying, like our lives depend on it - every kind of prayer: praise, thanksgiving, petition.
Above all, the Holy Mass, and the sacraments.
We have to keep our faith alive and active. There is always a temptation to stop, and say, Well, I have done enough.
We can never stop our faith life; it is as vital as eating or breathing.
We have to be in a state of grace, of continuous union with God; a union strong enough to make a difference to our lives; such that we are conscious of belonging to God first and foremost.
We do not just squeeze Him in ceremonially, every now and then.
The Transfiguration (today’s Gospel) was meant to encourage the apostles, so that they would be strong enough not to lose faith when they saw the Crucifixion.
We have the same need for encouragement. A lot of bad things happen around us yet we still have to keep the faith.
The faith is embodied in the Resurrection, or any miracle which reminds us that God has not lost His power; nor has He left us.
We do not let setbacks undermine our faith. We will come through in all weathers.
Full stomach or empty, to have enough or be in need cf Ph 4,12
One particular disappointment we have encountered lately is the abortion ruling in our local parliament.
This has happened in other places, and probably similar and related legislation, also abhorrent, will appear soon.
This is a disappointing result in itself, and we can be further disappointed at the lack of motivation of most Catholics and Christians, who could rise up in great numbers but generally do not.
We could be discouraged by this but we do not let that happen. It just means some things are harder work than they might first look.
We pray on different levels at the same time. We pray for politicians to see where the truth is found, and to take their role of ruling with the power which comes from God. (cf Rom 13,1)
We pray for a change of heart and mind on abortion and on all contentious issues.
If people had enough faith these things would not even see the light of day.
Distortion, brought about by sin, has done much damage and we are trying to reverse all that.
The light of Christ will burst through if enough disciples can stay awake with Him. (cf Mt 26,40)
Humanity has been in the dark ever since the first sin. People in every generation repeat the words, I will not serve. (Jer 2,20)
We keep praying because it is necessary to shift mountains, and also to keep our own sanity, so we do not join the rush down the slope. (Mk 5,13)
We reaffirm our commitment to the cause. If the last thing we saw was Christ on a cross or coming out of the tomb - iIt makes no difference in a sense, because we still do the same thing: we pray, we believe, we spread the good news.
The glory of Christ will prevail when all sin has been forgiven or punished. We look to be there when that day comes!
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