THE TRIALS OF LIFE
Isaiah 45:6-8; Psalm 85 Luke 7:19-23
“Happy is the man that does not lose faith in me.” The Gospel reading of today presents us with the experience of John the Baptist while he was in prison. He sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or must we wait for someone else?’ This is the same John who in Matt.3:13-17 baptized Jesus, in John1:29 pointed out the Messiah saying; “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” But here goes John asking if Jesus is the messiah or they should expect another.
Beloved, there is no great man without crisis. Life can be so tough and rough that you begin to feel like trying another god; the crest and trough of life can be so dreadful that you may want to try another church. Jesus says; “happy is the man that does not lose faith in me”. Again, he says; “Blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.” Do you take offense because life has become so tough for you? The cross may be bitter but it makes us better later. Things may not be working well but God is not sleeping. Precisely because of this, the first reading reassures us that God is our creator and there is no other.
St. John of the Cross whose memorial we celebrate today reminds us that at the evening of life, we shall be judged.
LET US PRAY
O God, who gave the Priest Saint John an outstanding dedication to perfect self-denial and love of the Cross, grant that, by imitating him closely at all times, we may come to contemplate eternally your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
