Reflection Friday Week 3 Year C- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
Readings: Hebrews 10:32-39; Ps
373-6,23-24,39-40 Mark 4:26-34
Patient with Faith Endurance
Psalm 37 verse 9a captures well the message the Epistle to
the Hebrews as well as the Gospel, today,” The salvation of the just comes from
the Lord”. Or as Habakkuk would put it “ My just one shall live by faith and if
he draws back I take no pleasure in him” (Hab 1:1-4).
What this means is that in the face trials and persecution
Christians must persevere as see is as participating in the sufferings of
Christ. Suffering with our neighbors is a way of partnership with Christ. As
the writer to the Epistle to the Hebrews would stress, think of visiting those
in prison. Or what do you do when you are unjustly treated, your property
unduly taken away from you. Patient endurance and compassion are recommended.
These are ways of sufferings with Christ.
Moreover, the seeming delay of God’s judgment or Christ arrival
should not discourage us. Christ is in our midst in a mysterious ways. It is
like a planting who plants seed, goes to bed at night only to be surprise the
following day of how far the seed has sprout and grow, without his knowledge.
Again the workings of Christ is like a mustard seed planted
which grows up to a huge tree that can even accommodates birds of all kinds on
its branches(Mark 4:26-34)
Truly there are many ways and instances Christians are
tempted today or are made to feel that God is so far away from them. Some are
made to feel like Job and Habakkuk. Some
are been persecuted. Some are ignored. Some are ridiculed. For such group of
Christians, the writer to the Epistle to the Hebrews suggests that prayers,
patient and faith endurance are the answers.
