A saint who was being tried by God with many hardships

4th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, Red


Heb 12:4-7, 11-15 / Ps 103:1-2. 13-14. 17-18a / Mk 6:1-6


Gospel Mk 6:1-6


Leaving that place, Jesus returned to his own country, and his disciples followed him. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and most of those who heard him were astonished. But they said, “How did this come to him? What kind of wisdom has been given to him, that he also performs such miracles? Who is he but the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here among us?” So they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “Prophets are despised only on their own country, among their relatives, and their own family.” And he could work no miracles there, but only healed a few sick people, by laying his hand on them. Jesus himself was astounded at their unbelief.




Reflection


Who among us likes suffering and punishment? None, I presume. In the first reading, we hear, “The Lord trains the ones He loves and punishes the ones He acknowledges as His sons.” A saint who was being tried by God with many hardships once said, “Lord, if this is how you treat your friends, I wonder how many friends you still have left.” It is true that God sometimes be exacting and hard on us, but didn’t He allow His only Son to die on the cross for us? A true disciple of Jesus knows that sufferings are necessary to test one’s faith and love for God. It is also true that we are not able to cope, but God in His mercy will raise us up from our failures and give us renewed strength and courage to face our sufferings. We have not had to suffer till the point of dying for our sins (cf. He 12:4) so let us stand up to the battle with the enemy using the weapons of light – prayer, faith in God, zeal to announce the gospel and a deep and intimate love for Jesus. The corrections and sufferings we have are meant to make us more holy, more humble. Also, trials and temptations keep our faith from becoming lukewarm.



Brothers and sisters let our love for Jesus and Mary spur us on. Let us welcome daily trials and challenges as God’s love for us and for the people for whom we suffer. Let us walk the hard and narrow path to reach the heavenly Jerusalem. This is what St. Paul Miki and his companions did. They willingly suffered and died for Christ who brought them immediately to his heavenly kingdom.


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