Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
What are we willing to suffer for? For me, I am sometimes (but not often enough) willing to suffer through the pain and discomfort of a run because I know that it is good for me and that I will feel great afterwards. I am sometimes (but not often enough) willing to suffer through the discomfort of waking up early in order to have more time for prayer. In general, I am sometimes (but not often enough) willing to suffer when I know the outcome will be good for me.
Our second reading this Sunday is all about suffering. The author of Hebrews uses the analogy of “running the race” to help inspire us to perseverance even in the midst of suffering. We are called to live holy lives, to make the tough choices of saying “no” to sin and “yes” to God’s plan for our lives. This is good for us, and we know it, but far too often we choose the path that leads to temporary comfort over the path that leads to momentary discomfort but lasting joy. This leads to one of my favorite B.B.V.’s (Badass Bible Verses) in all the scriptures:
“In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.”
For me, this not only sounds cool but is also very convicting. I know that in my own struggle against sin, far too often I resist barely to the point of discomfort before giving in. Sometimes I give in just thinking about the possibility that resisting sin might be uncomfortable. In answer to this, the author of the book of Hebrews points us to the Crucified Christ, and the example He set for us. Christ gave everything, endured everything and held nothing back in His mission to redeem us. As Christians, we are called to endure, to persevere in running the race, “keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” So, when we are tempted to give in to the comfortable, easy sins that everyday life presents us with, let us remember that we have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood, and persevere through the trials and temptations so as to win the crown of eternal life.