Word to the Wise
Monday, February 14, 2022 - Monday in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jas 1:1-11 and Mark 8:11-13]Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith..... [James]
FEBRUARY 14 STS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS
The Letter of James, at times, sounds like a great pep-talk when things are getting tough! It's not easy to consider trials as a joy! Some of us may look back on particular trials and think that we learned a lot and gained valuable experience, but "joy" may not be the word we would use to describe how we felt then or feel now about it! James sounds at times like the contemporary response to troubles: "Suck it up!"
However, I have seen a bit of joy when a student discovers that he or she does indeed "have what it takes" to find a way through some of the academic and personal challenges that are part and parcel of university life. "Perseverance" is something I do advise when it seems clear to me that the one sitting in front of me in tears really does "have what it takes" but just doesn't know it. This is when that prayer for wisdom both on my part and the student's is so necessary. Some trials just seem to have no avenue of resolution and discouragement is a big danger. The Lord knows the heart and will give the wisdom needed at the time if we ask for it. At least that has been my experience. "Joy" at the end of a long dark tunnel makes more sense when the ability to persevere is discovered. AMEN