Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ave Maria! The following reflects upon yesterday's Gospel (Luke 21:5-19), which ends with Our Lord's admonition to patiently endure the trials and tribulations of life. He calls us to be like him, to persevere as we "suffer the slings and arrows of misfortune" for the sake of the Kingdom. Such endurance will not only save our souls, it will also bring us much joy. St. James reminds us that "we call happy those who were steadfast" (James 5:11). We see this happiness in the lives of the saints and all the holy men and women of the ages, who gladly died to self that Christ may live in them. These godly individuals didn't just put up with those slings and arrows, they counted them all joy (James 1:2). The word "endure" comes from the Latin word "indurare," which means "to harden." They hardened their hearts to all that was not of God and from God and for God, to the wiles of the devil, to the easy life of cheap grace. They entered the narrow gate and found untold treasures therein. They patiently endured and thus obtained the promise (Hebrews 6:15). And they are here to help us now. As Pope Benedict XVI told us at the beginning of his Petrine ministry (Homily of 4/24/05), "I am not alone. I do not have to carry alone what in truth I could never carry alone. All the Saints of God are there to protect me, to sustain me and to carry me." So yes, let us endure, and let us endure together, a happy procession of chosen souls, looking always to Jesus, "who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2).

Your endurance will win you your life. ~Luke 21:19

In time of trial it is of great profit to us patiently to endure for God’s sake, for the Lord says: By patient endurance you will win life for yourselves.

He did not say by your fasting, or your solitude and silence, or your singing of psalms, although all of these are helpful in saving your soul.

But he said: By patient endurance in every trial that overtakes you, and in every affliction, whether this be insolent and contemptuous treatment, or any kind of disgrace, either small or great; whether it be bodily weakness, or the belligerent attacks of Satan, or any trial whatsoever caused either by other people or by evil spirits.

By patient endurance you will win life for yourselves, although to this must be added wholehearted thanksgiving, and prayer, and humility. For you must be ready to bless and praise your benefactor, God the Savior of the world, who disposes all things, good or otherwise, for your benefit.

The apostle writes: With patient endurance we run the race of faith set before us. For what has more power than virtue? What more firmness or strength than patient endurance? Endurance, that is, for God’s sake.

This is the queen of virtues, the foundation of virtue, a haven of tranquility. It is peace in time of war, calm in rough waters, safety amidst treachery and danger. It makes those who practice it stronger than steel.

No weapons or brandished bows, no turbulent troops or advancing siege engines, no flying spears or arrows can shake it.

Not even the host of evil spirits, not the dark array of hostile powers, nor the devil himself standing by with all his armies and devices will have power to injure the man or woman who has acquired this virtue through Christ.

(Letters 111, 35: PG 79, 401-404)

Nilus (+c.430), a native of Ancyra, studied at Constantinople where he became a disciple of Saint John Chrysoston. He afterwards founded a monastery near Ancyra where he exercised a wide influence, partly by correspondence; he is known to have written at least 1,061 letters. His writings include treatises on the preeminence of monks, monastic observance, and voluntary poverty.