20 May 2014
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
A group of young Jesuits gathered around the sickbed of a dying Jesuit who was a sort of spiritual titan. They desired advice. Rather than a long exposition, he simply told them: “persevere.” It seems to me the same wisdom applies to anyone in whatever state of life they find themselves. Our world is littered with people who simply could not or would not persevere in their call from God. In today’s reading from the Book of Acts, we also are called to such fortitude. We are reminded that, “It is necessary to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.”
God never said our lives would be a piece-of-cake. Rather, our lives are the mystery of the Cross—death and Resurrection. Therefore Christ says to us, “my peace I give to you” and “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Let us pray for the grace of perseverance, peace, and courage as we endure the pains of this day. St. Ignatius teaches in the First Principle and Foundation that anything–even the worst things–can open us more to God’s gift of eternal life. May we keep our hope of Heaven close to our hearts, as we give our lives for others.