Reflection for Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021312.cfm

"Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."


The above verse from today's first reading certainly gives us a different perspective on trials, temptations, and suffering does it not?  We usually do not consider them to be "all joy".  In fact, we tend to consider them to be "all misery".  


Trials are sufferings that happen to us that, if we could have our way, we would eliminate from our lives.  They range from the very small (e.g., stubbing a toe) to the very large (e.g., losing a loved one).  Temptations are desires we have to say or do something we know is against the eternal law of God on the conscience.  As such, part of us does not want to eliminate them from our lives.  In both trials and temptations, we are tempted to question God's love and goodness towards us and to turn our backs on him.


James tells us to be joyful in the midst of trials and temptations because they are the means through which God makes us saints, that is, through them God deepens our love for him and our neighbor.  


Anybody can be a good Christian when he or she is not going through any trials or temptations.  May God give us the strength to be true to him when these things come into our lives....and come into our lives they will.