TESTED FAITH ~ CookingFood.Org

“GENEROUS LENT 2017”

Lenten Reflections

Friday, 7^thApril 2017,

Fifth Week of Lent

Jer 20: 10-13;

Ps 17: 2-7;

Jn 10: 31-42.

TESTED FAITH

The liturgy of today challenges every follower of Christ to find harmony between one’s words and one’s actions. In the readings today we hear about prophet Jeremiah amidst afflictions and Jesus amidst Jews prepared to stone him. Prophet Jeremiah spoke in the name of God and on behalf of God, his words were not his own. His words were not welcomed by his listeners. This brought affliction on Jeremiah. In the case of Jesus too, his words were not welcome either.

As we draw closer to Holy Week, and to Good Friday, we begin to see that hatred was growing toward Jesus. To hate Jesus and to desire to stone Him to death is an act of the greatest irrationality. Little by little, those who were against Jesus grew in boldness until that ultimate day came when He laid down His life for us and willingly embraced His death. When confronting evil and persecution, we should do so as Jesus did. He faced it without fear. He faced it with the truth and never accepted the lies and calumny that so many threw at Him.

The fact of the matter is that the closer we grow toward God, the greater the persecution and hatred we will encounter. One key to holiness is that in the midst of persecution, suffering, hardship and sorrow, we stand firm in the truth. It’s always tempting to think that we must be doing something wrong when things do not go our way. One thing God wants of us, in the midst of our own crosses, is to purify our faith and resolve to stand firm in His Word and Truth. These are the times, more than any other, when we need to stand strong. It’s easy to say we trust God when life is easy, it’s hard to trust Him when the cross we face is quite heavy. Face your fears and let God transform you in the midst of them. If you do so, you will discover that your greatest struggles in life actually turn out to be your greatest blessings.

Prayer: Lord, as we draw near to the commemoration of Your own suffering and death, help me to unite my crosses to Yours. Help me to see in my daily struggle Your presence and strength. Help me to see the purpose you have for me in the midst of these challenges. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.