By your endurance you will gain your souls

Rev. 15:1-4, Lk. 21:12-19. “By your endurance you will gain your souls.” This is one of those floating phrases that can apply to many situations. It is echoed earlier in the Gospel of Luke (8:15) in different context, where the seed bore fruit “through endurance.” The term endurance - hypomon - in today's Gospel is expressed by “hanging in there” and denotes perseverance, consistency, dependability in times of hatred, persecution and martyrdom. It shows that in hard times we must show loyalty to God by endurance. Jesus prepares us for the inevitable suffering that is part of the paschal mystery and the Reign of God with this promises: “I will give you a wisdom which none of your opponents can contradict.”

During hard times His love and fidelity will sustain us, so that our efforts can bear good fruit. Today's first reading encourages those who endure for they will join in the victorious song of the people who crossed the Red Sea. Like those who followed Moses over sea and desert, we may find it hard going at times. The Lord inspires us to push onward and persevere like many saints and martyrs. The quality of “endurance” that helps us towards the promised land, is finely expressed by the Latin translation of St Jerome: in patientia vestra possidebitis animas vestras, “By your patience you will possess your souls.”

May the Lord be with us always, guide us in our journey of faith as we resolve to persevere and be more courageous in our daily pursuit! Amen!! Stay safe and have a glorious day!!!