Perseverance contains the word severe.

In our lives we expect things fast. We are used to "on-demand" entertainment and overnight delivery. You can speed things up even faster with a drive-through double shot latte from your favorite coffee shop. Results are expected immediately; weather from medicine or a pregnancy test. And, heaven help us if it takes more than 10 seconds to download something from our high-speed internet.

These conveniences of modern life aren't all bad. They are examples of innovation that allows us to do more with our time. We can focus more energy on important things such as family and community. But do we? Also, consider how long it took to create these efficiencies. None of them came to be overnight.

Have you ever heard the expression "Nothing good happens fast"? The word to focus on here is "good". Sure there are many pleasures in life that come about quickly. But what about the things that are truly good?

Those take perseverance to come about; hours of preparation, struggle, failure, trials, and successes. Seeing it through no matter the obstacles. The Saints are all great examples of this perseverance. They weren't just born to be holy and live blessed lives. All of them struggled through many trials and tribulations, including their own sins, to shine their light in Jesus' name.

What are the things you are most proud of in your life? Your career or business? Your family? My experience is that all the good parts of my life took time to develop. "Sweat equity" is what some people call it in business. Anything given to you for free is not worth a tenth as much as something you struggled and suffered to achieve.

So, be it a business project, a new job, a new relationship, or just the current good in your life; keep your "eye on the prize". Be a person of perseverance and daily prayer. Ask God for the strength to persevere for the greater good, even in the most severe circumstances.

TCP
He will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
Refining them like gold or like silver
that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.
Mal3:3-4

In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world." John 16:33

In this world of secularism and individualism, it is easy to build a wall. A wall that protects us, our family, and friends from all the mess and evil that surrounds us. It is easier to keep our faith, say our prayers and support those within our wall.

But, is that what we are called to do by the Lord? There are plenty monestaries and convents where monks, nuns, priests and sisters spend there days in work and prayer. This is a beautiful and holy way of life. To devote one's entire days, by vow and act, in service to God by keeping these devotions. They pray for the outside world but do not live in it. We can learn much from their model, but our daily business is quite a bit different.

St. Thomas More, one of the most celebrated secular Saints, strongly considered the priesthood when he was young. Most people in his time saw it as a more direct path to perfection. He eventually accepted his call to marraige as one with more opportunity for struggle and suffering, therefore refining his soul to a purer metal. His biographer, Charles Wegemer, even points out that Chaucer and Shakespeare agreed "If all good people were encouraged to enter the monestary, how should the world be served?"

Now our world today is quite different. There are not many who are even called to the religous life. We are all out there in a diverse society. And although we still get a taste of "community life" in our Parishes and our families, we spend most of our days in the secular business world. Accepting and engaging the trials and tribulations of this world is our challenge. But, most of us are not starting with the metal that St. Thomas began with.

The first thing to remember is that there will be failure. Being human and taking these risks, it is bound to happen. But, through prayer, through participation in the sacrament of Confession, through the community that supports us we can take on the world. We must follow Jesus urging and "Be not afraid." Put out into the deep and risk capsizing the boat or breaking the nets.

Put yourself out there. In your business day, take the risk and be the example of charity, clean living, and fair practice. Only by this can His love enter the the lives around us and thereby change the world.

Lord, make me and instrument of Your peace.

TCP

He will sit refining and purifying silver,
and he will purify the sons of Levi,
Refining them like gold or like silver
that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.
Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem
Mal3:3-4