Commentary on the Gospel of
"Testing of your faith produces perseverance" . Today's first reading speaks of finding joy when we encounter difficulties and trials in our lives. The joy that can be found in these trials is the joy and comfort we find in our faith/our trust in God. The reading continues to guide us in appreciating wisdom, which is often acquired after a difficult struggle or trial in our lives. "Hindsight is 20/20”. The gift of faith in our loving, caring and compassionate God can lead us out of the struggles if we truly can rely on God to get us through the difficulties.
Difficulties and trials often have brought people "to their knees'" as life can often be so overwhelming. When we are in these places we have the option to "go it alone" or to invite God into the journey, asking for wisdom and guidance as we make our way through these difficult times in our lives. "Let your kindness comfort me according to your promise to your servants."
Our struggles in life can lead us to humility and hopefully a greater dependence on the "statutes" that God has communicated to us. Suffering can bring us to an appreciation and a need for reliance on the "ordinances" of God. Finally the Gospel message seems to be reminding us of our desires ... "to have life play out in our way" rather than in God's way. Do we pray to have our struggles/trials resolved in our time frame? In a manner of our desiring? Or can we be open to having these struggles/trials be resolved in God's time? In God's plan? “Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.” How do we - will we recognize the kindness of God in our lives?
