Can we endure till the end?
“Beyond talent lies all the usual words: discipline, love and luck – but, most of all endurance,” describes James Baldwin.
Yes, it is true that the victory over sin and evil has been won by the one sacrifice of Jesus. Good triumphs over evil at the end. We can all experience the victory of the Lamb in the joyful paschal mystery. The joy of Christ comes from virtuous, faithfully truthful life to the end. The victory hymns of Moses and the lamb are sung by all who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
“There are no victories at bargain prices,” says Dwight D. Eisenhower.
We all can be a saint for the day and that is easy. But to be persistent to the end is the call of Christ to all of us. Without endurance, we cannot reach the Promised Land, Heaven.
As a disciple of Christ, we all must go through a lot of trials, temptations, and sufferings to live a sincere and God-fearing life. There will be millions of opportunities for us to testify. Betrayal from the family origin will be unvoiced but there is nothing to defend, we just continue to bear witness without fear or shame. We will not be short of grace to fight all the battles against evil and sin. “By your endurance, you will gain your souls.” (Lk.21:19).
His Holiness Pope Francis invites us to dream of holiness: “Let the grace of your baptism bear fruit in a path of holiness. Let everything be open to God; turn to him in every situation. Do not be dismayed, for the power of the Holy Spirit enables you to do this, and holiness, in the end, is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life.”
May the Lord strengthen our faith and commitment till the end. God bless you.