Trust in God's Promises

No one goes through this life without enduring “a great contest of suffering,” as Paul says to us in today’s first reading, Heb. 10:32-39.  All of us experience affliction and some times are the one inflicting pain.  What we thought was rightfully ours is confiscated (cf. Heb. 10: 32-39).  I had a double dose of the latter this past month.  I also inflicted pain, as well, by my anger and impatience, outbursts and low tolerance for any kind of frustration, following what I experienced as significant loss or unnecessary hardship.  No doubt you have been there as well, as it is the reality of human nature pushed to its limits. It happens to all of us who live in an imperfect world, including our own imperfections.

Paul says to us: “Don’t throw away…[your] confidence”, that is the confidence we have in knowing that we have a better and lasting possession”--eternal life-- knowing that the effects of sin, and sin itself, will not be part of our life with God in eternity.  All tears will be wiped away. Pain will be no more—neither physical nor mental, neither emotional nor spiritual.  All will be well; all manner of things shall be well, Julian of Norwich told herself when she was confronted with the shortcomings of life—her own and that of others—the disappointment in relationships, the shattering of hopes and dreams. 

The psalmist in today’s responsorial psalm, says to us: “Trust in the Lord and do good….Take delight in the Lord, and he will grant you your heart’s request. Commit to the Lord your way; trust in him and he will act” (Ps. 37).

 

I trust God will act on my behalf. May I act on His!