BY YOUR PERSEVERANCE

Rev 15,1-4; Ps 97; Lk 21,12-19
28 NOVEMBER

Perseverance is in faith. Faith is obedience to every Word that has come out and comes out of the mouth of God. We begin with the Word, we remain in the Word, we walk in the Word, we proceed from Word to Word, or from faith to faith. Without Word there is no faith, there is not even perseverance in justice and in truth.

Then the LORD answered me and said: Write down the vision Clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfilment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. The rash man has no integrity; but the just man, because of his faith, shall live (Hab 2,2-4). For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous by faith will live” (Rm 1,16-17). But we are sure in your regard, beloved, of better things related to salvation, even though we speak in this way. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones. We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfilment of hope until the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises (Heb 6,9-12). Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood (Heb 12,1-4).

Perseverance is in love. Love is giving the heart to the Word and to obedience. The heart must be given in a total, full way. Jesus voluntarily offered himself to the passion. He put all his soul and his spirit, full of all the love for the Father.

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write this: ” ‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this: “I know your works, your labour, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate the wicked; you have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and discovered that they are impostors. Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name, and you have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you repent. But you have this in your favour: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. ” ‘”Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the victor I will give the right to eat from the tree of life that is in the garden of God”‘ (Rev 2,1-7).

Falling from love is easy. The other sees whether we obey for love or work by career or profession. Love is the truth of faith. Without love obedience is a dead work. It does not produce any fruit of true salvation. Love is like the sun for plants. Without the sun of love that warms the heart, everything becomes icy work.

“Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defence beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, 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 on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

Love and faith are lived in persecution. Perseverance is up to the bloodshed.

Queen of Martyrs, Angels and Saints make us grow from faith to faith and from love to love.