Our society measures success or failure with practical standards of usefulness and effectiveness. Christians evaluate our mission with the parameters of Christ who exclaims on the cross: “It is finished” (John 19:30).
In our world, success changes in all areas of our lives. What is unquestionable is always fidelity. Christians are not called to be successful, but to be faithful: “It is you who have stood by me in my trials” (Luke 22:28).
Experts in any discipline are those who have persevered to make it a natural part of their life. So are the Christian virtues. The saints are those who for years practiced service, forgiveness, gratitude, patience, contemplation or humility in all circumstances.
Jesus praises the servant who is faithful doing the little duties and warns us of the risk of the unexpected return of the master. (See Matthew 24:50.)
Fidelity is a surprising goal. How long did Simeon wait to see the arrival of the Savior in Mary's arms? How long did Mary wait to see Jesus begin his public life by revealing his mission to the world? How long will Jesus wait to see the kingdom that he sent us to establish grow in us?
The Lord Jesus knows that we need to see fruits in our work to persevere. Faithfulness does not grant triumphalist trophies; it simply gives the faithful the peace of having fulfilled what was entrusted to him. (See Luke 17:7.)
The father who returns home with the satisfaction of having provided for the well-being of his family; the mother who guides, protects and listens to each of her children in the search for their place in the world, trusting that her work will transform her children into happy and safe men and women around the world. The accompanying friend convinced that this friendship will give him strength to overcome the obstacles. The prayer of believers who implore the Creator to illuminate the hearts of those who live in bitterness and can no longer discover an encouraging smile.
At the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968, John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania, a marathon runner who was injured during the race, arrived at the stadium last, limping and finishing more than an hour after the medals had been awarded. When asked what had prompted him to continue in the race, he answered: “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start a race but to finish a race,” and added: “If you start doing something, finish it or better not start it.”
The Lord sends each of us forth to persevere until the end of the race with the only trophy being duty fulfilled. Mary, Joseph and the saints are our models. “Confident that the one who began a good work in us will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Northwest Catholic - December 2023/January 2024