“Responding joyfully and optimistically to ‘the advertisement of adversity’ offered by Jesus!”

(Based on Acts 19:1-8 and Jn 16:29-33 – Monday of the 7th Week of Easter)

Early in the 20th century, a London newspaper carried an advertisement that read:
“Men wanted for hazardous darkness, and constant danger.

Safe return doubtful.
Honour and recognition in case of success!”

This AD was from Sir Ernest Shackleton – the world famous Arctic explorer.

Commenting on this, Warren W. Wiersbe in his book, “Be Faithful” commented –
“If JESUS CHRIST had advertised for workers, the announcement might have read something like this:

Men and women wanted for difficult task of helping to build My church.
You will often be misunderstood, even by those working with you.
You will face constant attack from an invisible enemy.
You may not see the results of your labour…
… and your full reward will not come till after all your work is completed.
It may cost you your home, your ambitions, even your life!”

Are you ready to accept this Advertisement of Jesus to work for His Kingdom?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus encouraging and motivating His disciples to be firm and strong, even in the midst of any sort of persecution or problems.

Jesus tells, “In the world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16: 33)

The Lord in His final discourses to the Disciples constantly gives the message of Hope and Encouragement.

Jesus is a not a leader who shies away from presenting the truth.
Jesus is not a Master who hides the real facts of following Him.
He plainly tells them that His going away from the world will result in a number of persecutions.

He predicts that His chosen ones would desert Him in His time of agony and suffering: “Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to His own home and you will leave me alone.” (Jn 16: 32)

Yet, He assures His followers, that He will still remain with them and strengthen them.

He is bold to tell them, “… Take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16: 33b)

Our life is also beset with many problems, afflictions and difficulties.

Sometimes, we do ask ourselves, “Why do I face so many problems?”
Sometimes, we do feel, “Why such immense pains in our life?”
Sometimes, we do question, “Why is life so unfair to me?”

But the Lord tells us, that we ought not to get discouraged or disheartened.

We need to realize, that such hardships and problems, keep us oriented towards seeking the help of God.

When difficulties creep in life, our face is set more towards the Lord.
… But when life goes on too smoothly, there are chances that tend to relax our relation with Him

When problems surface and surmount, our minds are attuned more towards seeking the Lord
… But when life is too cozy and comfortable, there are possibilities of being too casual in prayer life

When hardships bite us hard, our hearts long deeper for the presence and providence of God
… But when life goes on a smooth sailing, there are prospects that we tend to forget the important role of the Lord in life

Along with this, hardships and sufferings also have a Salvific Value!

Every pain and difficulty we undergo, is to be united with the Suffering of Christ…
… and Christ redeems all of them!
In turn, we are blessed to be partakers with Christ’s Mission…
… and strength and hope, to realise, that God in His Providence, always does the best for us, when we remain faithful to Him!

Yes, strength of any kind grows only by exertion!

St Paul is a beautiful example of a person who never got discouraged by the troubles of life.

After having prayed for the gift of the Holy Spirit on the believers at Ephesus, who had never even heard about the Holy Spirit… (Acts 19:1-7)
… St Paul went on to preach and boldly proclaim about the Kingdom, in the synagogues: “And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8)

Let us not get discouraged by the problems of life…
… instead, consider them as golden opportunities and graces to grow much deeper and stronger in the Love of the Lord!

JESUS invites workers for His Kingdom, with

We will have struggles.
We will face misunderstandings
But when we remain faithful, Jesus Himself, is our reward!

Are you ready to respond joyfully and optimistically to this “the advertisement of adversity?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism*
HOW IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? – THE LITURGICAL YEAR

Beginning with the Easter Triduum as its source of light, the new age of the Resurrection fills the whole liturgical year with its brilliance.
Gradually, on either side of this source, the year is transfigured by the liturgy.
It really is a “year of the Lord’s favor.”
The economy of salvation is at work within the framework of time, but since its fulfilment in the Passover of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit…
… the culmination of history is anticipated “as a foretaste,” and the kingdom of God enters into our time.
Therefore Easter is not simply_ one feast among others, but the “Feast of feasts,” the “Solemnity of solemnities,” just as the Eucharist is the “Sacrament of sacraments” (the Great Sacrament).
St. Athanasius calls Easter “the Great Sunday” and the Eastern Churches call Holy Week “the Great Week.”

The mystery of the Resurrection, in which Christ crushed death, permeates with its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to Him. (CCC # 1168-1169)