THE REASONS JESUS HAVE FEW FAITHFUL AND SINCERE FRIENDS.
Monday, June 19, 2023
ST ROUMUALD, ABB. (Opt. Mem)
Psalm. 98: 1-4 (R. 2a)
Gosprl. Matthew 5: 38-42
TOPIC FOR REFLECTION
ENDURING HARDSHIP FOR CHRIST'S SAKE
St. Paul in today's first reading listed all the sufferings he had to endure while he was among the Corinthians for the sake of Christ, the sufferings are as listed below:
1. Afflictions,
2. Hardships,
3. Calamities,
4. Beatings,
5. Imprisonments,
6. Tumults,
7. Labours,
8. Watching,
9. Hunger;
10. Tested our purity,
11. Tested our knowledge,
12. Tested our forbearance,
13. Tested our kindness,
14. Tested our genuine love,
15. Tested our truthful speech and the power of God
16. Tested and treated the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left; in honour and dishonour, in ill repute and good repute.
17. Treated as impostors, as dying, and behold we live;
18. Treated as punished, and yet not killed
19. Treated as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
20. Treated as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything
My dearly beloved, who among us would say he or she has never suffered and endured many if not all the aforementioned above?
We could see that suffering and enduring for the sake of Christ did not start with our generation, and neither will it end with our generation.
Hmm, surprisingly, to complement what St Paul listed above, Jesus in today's Gospel said:
> Jesus said to his disciples, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.”
My, these are some of the reasons Jesus does not have many faithful, sincere friends. The task is hard and tough. Imagine someone enduring the 20 listed above hardship for the sake of Christ, and still the same Christ tells us not to resist them, is this not ironical?
Well, in a simple and short sentence, naturally, in life, as unfair as life is, both the good, the bad, and the ugly will always endure trials, tribulations, and hardship, not for the sake of heaven but for the worldly greater goal as desired. Take athletes, for example, and the rigorous training they endure.
The insult you endure at your places of work because you want to keep your job, etc.
Therefore, if all these hardships could be endured for the greater good, how much more of the greater good of heaven? Hence St. Paul said that
>> Working together with Christ, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At the acceptable time I have listened to you, and helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God, we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance.
Peace ✌️ be with you.
Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.
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