Persistence

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Persistence

Asking   Seeking

Prayer   Focusing   Belief

Door Will Be Opened

Answered

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 11:9

Jesus was teaching His disciples about prayer:

"I tell you ask, and you will receive.

Seek and you will find.

Knock and the door will be opened to you."

Reflection

It is a real challenge to be persistent. When we face difficulties and failures, our tendency is to give up. We convince ourselves that we made a mistake in trying something new. We write it off as beyond our reach and abilities.

There are amazing exceptions. The story of Michael Jordan not making his seventh-grade basketball team and then going on to become such a dominant player is famous.

 On the religious level the story of St. John Vianney is also inspiring. He was dismissed from the seminary because he found it hard to learn Latin and went on to become the most sought out priest in the France of his time after receiving tutoring from his parish priest. The railroad had to build a special branch to the town of Ars where John ministered to accommodate all the pilgrims that were flocking to his church.

In our reading from Luke, Jesus speaks of the importance of asking. We might be reluctant to ask God for the help we need or for the patience to hang in there and to be persistent. 

Instead of giving up on our dreams, Jesus encourages us to keep on seeking. Those dreams might not materialize in a few months, a few years, or even in our lifetime. If they are from Jesus and inspired by His teachings, they are always worth pursuing.

At the heart of our seeking is turning to Jesus in prayer. We converse with Jesus about our hopes and dreams for a world that is more just and more peaceful. 

As we pray each day, we focus on the Good News of Jesus. As we savor the scriptures, we try to truly hear the word that Jesus wants to speak to us. It is a word that both encourages and challenges us to be persistent as we realize that Jesus will be with us to help us reach our goals.

Our persistence flows from our belief that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We have encountered Jesus in our prayer and know that He will lead us to overcome our doubts and failures.

We are wise enough to know that the path is not always smooth and easy. There are rocks that we will stumble over. There will be bends in the road. Sometimes the journey will be very steep, and we will wonder if we have enough energy to make it to the top. 

Jesus assures us, however, that the door will be opened. Jesus came for that very purpose. He wants to help us and guide us.

We speak of the frustrations we encounter when we have doors slammed in our faces. It can lead us to giving up. 

Jesus shows us another way. He wants to open the doors that lead to peace, true happiness, and justice. He wants to help us build community and unite people.

He wants to answer the deepest longings of our hearts. When we are persistent and patient, we can hear those answers. 

I picture Jesus opening the door of our striving and embracing us with His Love.

He knows us.

He cares about us.

He always answers!

1. Do you find it difficult to be persistent after you have failed at a task?

2. Have you ever felt reluctant to ask God for something?

3. Do you always feel that God should answer your prayers immediately?

4. Do you find it difficult to hear the word that Jesus is speaking to you?

5. What are some of the doors that Jesus has opened for you?

6. What do you feel as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)