Photo: “82 Stevenson Savart 0211” via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
For the past week or more, we’ve been watching true grit and perseverance at work during the Winter Olympics.
- There was Lindsey Vonn who at age 41, returned to competitive skiing, overcoming a torn ACL to compete in the downhill event. Despite her determination, however, a ski accident ended her hopes for a medal.
- And there is Richardson Savart who has made history as the first Haitian to compete in Olympic cross-country skiing, turning an unlikely, difficult path into a milestone moment. He said: “We’re trying to be symbols for our small country and give them hope, because right now they are going through a rather dark period.”
It’s this virtue of perseverance through many trials that we hear about in our first reading…perseverance as practiced in our faith. James, the author, who was a simple, homespun preacher perturbed at people who were not living right, says this:
“Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation,
for when he has been proven he will receive the crown of life.” James 1:12
The word ‘perseverance’ means “through severity”. By this virtue, we believe that God's grace will sustain us if we maintain our faith and good works.
Through discouragement, trials, and disappointments, perseverance calls us to be persistent, steadfast, and faithful. If our athletes practice perseverance in their chosen field, shouldn’t we witness this even moreso in our faith?
We all know people who have endured much heartache in life, and we are inspired by their deep strength, courage, and their determination never to give up hope. It may have been a struggle to get to that point, but they persevered. That’s the Christ-like redemptive approach to suffering.
When Pope Francis was asked how he dealt with everything on his plate, he responded:
‘Let me tell you, I have two pills that help a lot: one, speak to Jesus, the Blessed Virgin, pray and ask for the grace of joy, the joy in the midst of a situation; the second pill you can take various times a day only if you need it, yet once is enough, look at yourself in the mirror: “Is that me? That’s me? Ha ha ha.”
Lent begins tomorrow, and we’ll begin our journey to Easter. We’re not striving for a gold, silver or bronze medal like our athletes, but rather, God’s promise of receiving the crown of life. May we journey together, pray, fast and give alms together, by the grace of God and the gift of daily perseverance.
