[Isaiah 66:18-21, Psalm 117,
Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 +Luke 13:22-30 ]
Title: “Testing…”
[__01__] We are
tested and examined. What is the result
of a test or an examination? This is usually a number …. Zero to 100 in
academics, or a letter, A, B, C or a
value, such as the Rio Summer Olympics
GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE.
The test result is supposed to indicate
something. A GOLD medal indicates
superior speed or performance.
A
four-point-zero G.P.A. indicates excellent comprehension and
understanding.
[__02__] In the
letter to the Hebrews this Sunday, we read that we should accept discipline or
testing because this brings us closer to the Heavenly Finish Line.
Does testing, does this discipline, bring us closer
to a reward, to the finish line?
Yes, testing does produce such progress quite
clearly, in many cases. Certainly,
Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky and other medalists at the 2016
Olympic Games in Rio will affirm the importance of testing, of discipline, of
preparation for their achievements.
What
is the value of their testing, their discipline? Is it only to win a MEDAL ?
Thee
athletes compete against not only others for Gold, Silver, Bronze but they also
compete against themselves, to conquer their own weakness, their own faults.
[* * * PAUSE
* * *]
[__03__] Thomas Merton, reflecting on the topic of
suffering[1]
and discipline, wrote that suffering does not have a value of its own.
Suffering is only valuable as a test of faith.
Do we not hear this in the voices and
interviews at the finish line? That is,
the medalists and competitors speak of the importance of faith – though not a
religious or Christian faith – but rather a focus that can be attained only by
tranquility during one’s daily regimen and a belief in what cannot be seen or
touched.
[__04__] What does a swimmer or runner want out of all
of this suffering, this discipline?
I suggest that he or she just wants to
prove his or her dedication, his or her consecration to the task.
They are, in their own way,
consecrating themselves.
They are also being tested.
[__05__] Thomas Merton suggests that we are not simply
being tested – in our lives – with endurance. That is, whether we suffer
physically, mentally, whether we suffer from grief, sorrow, financial hardship,
we are not simply trying to prove how long we can last.
That is, we are not simply offering up
the suffering so that it will be taken away.
Rather, in the midst of our suffering,
we are asked to – smile, to be cheerful, to be generous – we are not offering
up our suffering, we are offering up ourselves.
[__06__] It is similar to the Olympic ideal for Michael
Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles.
They did not just offer up suffering
or endurance. They offered up themselves, their hands, their feet, their minds,
their strength.
[__07__] It is
difficult to be tested. It is difficult to smile while we are being tested, to
have a sense of humor while we are being tested. But, doing so, we can be closer to Jesus who
died and rose for us.
Doing so we can dedicate ourselves to
God, so that the last may be first.
[__fin__]
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