Testing Produces Perseverance

February 13, 2012

Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

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. James 1:2-4

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation." Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore. Mark 8:11-13

Piety

Father, may we treat the tests you set before us today as the fire that will refine our lives so that we may better emulate your Son in his mercy for all.

Study

Thee words and sufferings of Jesus are difficult to understand, let alone emulate and we see that problem in today's confrontation with the miracle-seeking Pharisees. If Jesus is unendingly generous, why will he not cooperate with these leaders who want to better understand his divinity?

These church leaders have heard the stories of Jesus and his miraculous healing works and now they want to see for themselves. However, they do not turn to Jesus will an illness, injury or problem. They are looking for a magic show.

Jesus refuses to play along. When the average people in the cities and countryside turned to Jesus and sought to change their lives and lot, Jesus generously responded throughout the first eight chapters of Mark's Gospel. Lepers. Blind men. Children who are ill. Servants with fevers. Those possessed by demons. All and more were welcome to turn to Jesus. However, that will not happen in today's encounter with the Pharisees.

Jesus requires more than mere curiosity. As James teaches, "ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind."

The first reading from James encourages his audience to ethical conduct especially when they are being tested. He reminds them that "worldly prosperity is not necessarily a sign of God’s favor but can even be a hindrance to proper humility before God." In the case of the Pharisees, their powerful leadership posts in the Temple and their advanced education have become the hindrance to faith that Jesus requires for healing.

Jesus choose not to show them a sign. "Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?"

Action

How will we imitate Jesus today in our prayers, study and action?

There is a hole appearing in the social safety net for adults who are intellectually challenged. In a recent legal settlement, the state of Virginia has agreed to close five centers for these special needs adults according to a recent article in The Washington Post. The announcement means that hundreds of people will be moved into family of group homes.

This will create a need for much more community-based care for adults who are intellectually challenged.

While the facilities like the Northern Virginia Training Center will not close until 2015, consider now how you can assist organizations like ARC of Northern Virginia, Marian Homes, KOVAR and other non-profit organizations which may be faced with difficult decisions to grow their services when funding is already tight in today's economy.

Also, consider how you and your neighbors will welcome such group homes into your subdivision when this expansion of community services comes into your back yard.