Have you ever felt as though God is punishing you? Throughout the course of our lives, we experience what might seem like a barrage of hardships. This battering down of our interior and exterior fortresses over time can test our faith and weaken our resolve. If you find yourself in this position, read today’s passage from Hebrews again: “Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,” the author reminds us, “for the Lord disciplines the one he loves”. In our human nature, we may find these “disciplines” painful. But the author urges us to shift our mindset, recognising that just as a good father disciplines his children for their greater good, so our heavenly Father does the same for us. The author goes on to explain that we may consider every trial we endure in this sense, as a loving “discipline” – a sign of the Lord’s attention and desire for our sanctity.
Modern society loves the concept of a God who is soft, inviting, sweet, and tender. Of course, our Lord in his goodness and mercy can be described by those adjectives. But today’s Gospel reminds us of an equally important characteristic of the Lord: He is the supreme and final judge, and at the final judgement we will be held accountable for our lives. In the end, we will stand before the Lord, and he will put all things in proper order. Will it be glorious, loving, and merciful? Yes. Painful and piercing? Perhaps. Our Lord’s love knows no bounds, and he withholds his mercy from no one. It is precisely from this place of perfect love and profound mercy that rightful judgement emerges. May we live a life worthy of welcome when we meet him face to face.
In addition to accepting the discipline that the Lord sends our way, we can engage in voluntary practices to strengthen our spiritual lives. These practices are necessary, as Jesus tells us that many “will not be strong enough” to enter through the narrow gate that leads to life. Our second reading exhorts us to “lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees.” What spiritual disciplines have you found helpful to foster your growth in holiness? What areas are weak or need strengthening?
