Mal 4:1-2; 2 Thess. 3:7-12; Lk. 21:5-19
Today’s readings speak to us about
the need for endurance. During the First Reading, we heard of the necessity to
endure in righteousness. In the Second Reading, we heard of the necessity to
endure in our imitation of the
saints. And in the Gospel Reading, we heard of the necessity to endure in our living faith. To summarize all of this, we must persevere in our living faith through righteousness and the imitation of the saints.
saints. And in the Gospel Reading, we heard of the necessity to endure in our living faith. To summarize all of this, we must persevere in our living faith through righteousness and the imitation of the saints.
Endurance is a great virtue. But
rarely people possess it. We often choose the easy path and give at the start
or after a little while.
There are many people who proved
that endurance will lead to great success.
Born on November 17, 1906, in Japan, Soichiro was the only
child of a traditional working family. His mother was a weaver and father used
to run a bicycle repair business.
In 1938, Mr Honda was a poor student who had a dream of
designing a piston ring that he would sell to any manufacture for Toyota
Corporation. Every day he would go to school, and all night long he would work
on his design, up to his elbows in grease. He spent what little money he had on
his project, and it still wasn't finished. Finally, he hocked his wife's
jewellery to continue.
After years of effort he finally designed the piston ring he
was sure Toyota would buy. When he took it to them, they rejected it. He was sent
back to school to suffer the humiliation of his teachers' and friends' telling
him what an idiot he was for designing such a ridiculous gadget.
Finally he built his factory and was finally able to produce
his piston rings. During the war, the United States bombed his factory,
destroying most of it. Finally, an earthquake levelled his factory. He decided
to write a letter to every single bicycle - shop owner in Japan, telling them
that he thought he had the solution for getting Japan moving again, that his
motorbike would be cheap and would help people get what they needed to go. Then
he wrote 18000 letters asking them to invest. Of the 18,000 bicycle - shop
owners who received a letter, 3,000 gave Mr Honda money, and he manufactured
his first shipment.
Today, Mr Honda's company is one of the most successful in
the world. Honda Corporation now employs over 100,000 people and outsells
almost all cars.
Honda’s humble beginning, persistence and determination made
him one of the most powerful and influential businessmen of twentieth century.
His story is known to be the most inspirational story that
teaches us about the power of endurance.
In today’s Gospel passage Jesus speaks about endurance in
Spiritual life.
We have a great ancestral history of people
who won their crowns by their endurance. The history starts with the first
martyr Stephen, extends through the period of persecution to the modern times.
Jesus told his listeners, 'Nation
will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great
earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be
dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. But before all this occurs, they
will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and
prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to
prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that
none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
You will be betrayed even by parents, by brothers and sisters, and by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.'" [Lk. 21:5-19]
You will be betrayed even by parents, by brothers and sisters, and by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.'" [Lk. 21:5-19]
Today the church calls us to endure
in our faith by doing good works. The challenges that we face are many today.
As science and technology evolve the challenges to faith also take new forms.
Internet has brought knowledge to the finger tips. Media brings to home screens
hourly updates of what is happening around. Unfiltered exposure of the children
to them does more harm to them. It derails their thoughts and displaces their
value systems. They become insensitive to the feelings and needs of the others.
It is very important that we are
conscious of what we are. I like to share with you a good message some sent to
me. Once a child asked his mother, “Mom, How much is my life worth?” She said,
“That is a big question.” She gave him a stone and said, “Find out the value of
that stone. When you are done return home. Then I will answer your question” He
visited a grocery shop and asked, “Sir, can you tell me how much this stone
cost?” He examined the stone and replied. “I do not know little man. I can give
you a banana for it.” Then he visited a museum and enquired how the museum
would pay for the stone. He replied that they did not need one of these in
their collection. Then he met jeweller and showed the stone. The man said, “The
gem you have here, is the most perfect gem I have ever seen. I can’t tell the
price of it. To me it appears priceless.”
He returned home and asked his
mother, “How much is it actually worth? And what does have to do with the value
of my life? ”
Mother said, “People will value you
based on their level of information and their belief in you. But that does not
change you. You are priceless. Remember to surround yourself with people who
value you just like the jeweller valued that gem, with love, care and
affection. Because you are truly priceless.” We are all priceless and God cares
for each one of us.
To enhance the value of endurance
in spiritual life we have to surround ourselves with those who cherish
Christian values – love care and affection.
It will help us to transform ourselves and impart our value system to
others. Hence we will be able to say with St Paul, “I
have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith” (2 Tim.4:7).
Satish