Can you handle it?

Everything will be destroyed! Do you have perseverance to live through it? How is that for a scripture text from Luke?

To begin with, we know that God does not directly will suffering, as though God is dropping obstacles in our path. Life is not a test to see if we measure up or can take it. The virtue of perseverance is not a game of chicken with God to see who will blink first.

In spite of all that goes on around us that seems so negative, we are always reminded that the Christian tradition is clear that God’s original intention for all humanity is always good. Perseverance calls for living in that trust, even when it seems that all is lost and hardship is at hand.

The expectations described by Jesus in this reading from Luke are disturbing, there’s no way around it. It’s not unlike listening to or watching the evening news.

The good news in Jesus’ words in this reading is that he calls us to stay focused, to see it through and to see through it. That takes faith and it takes perseverance, which we find in the church community and in Christ Jesus.

Lord God, give me the strength and perseverance to always live in faith in you. Amen. — JKU

Contributed by Can you handle it?

Everything will be destroyed! Do you have perseverance to live through it? How is that for a scripture text from Luke? To begin with, we know that God does not directly will suffering, as though God is dropping obstacles in our path. Life is not a test to see if we measure up or can take it. The virtue of perseverance is not a game of chicken with God to see who will blink first. In spite of all that goes on around us that seems so negative, we are always reminded that the Christian tradition is clear that God's original intention for all humanity is always good. Perseverance calls for living in that trust, even when it seems that all is lost and hardship is at hand. The expectations described by Jesus in this reading from Luke are disturbing, there's no way around it. It's not unlike listening to or watching the evening news. The good news in Jesus' words in this reading is that he calls us to stay focused, to see it through and to see through it. That takes faith and it takes perseverance, which we find in the church community and in Christ Jesus.
Eternity for Today