Perseverance is a great grace. To go on gaining and advancing every day, we must be resolute, and bear and suffer as our blessed forerunners did. Which of them gained heaven without a struggle?

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race” 
-- Calvin Coolidge: (1872 –1933: was the 30th President of the United States 1923–29)

Gospel Text: (LK 11:5-13)

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Suppose one of you has a friend

to whom he goes at midnight and says,

‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,

for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey

and I have nothing to offer him,’

and he says in reply from within,

‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked

and my children and I are already in bed.

I cannot get up to give you anything.’

I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves

because of their friendship,

he will get up to give him whatever he needs

because of his persistence.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive;

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks, receives;

and the one who seeks, finds;

and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

What father among you would hand his son a snake

when he asks for a fish?

Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?

If you then, who are wicked,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit

to those who ask him?”

Even for those who are striving to have an authentic relationship with God there are times of profound suffering and sorrow. At other times, there is joy and happiness beyond words. In all these ups and downs we must ask for the grace of perseverance to remain faithful. To see in suffering a sharing in the Lord’s Passion; God purifying us like silver. During the times of happiness, we must have perseverance to see that this is just a foretaste of the true joy in heaven.

Just as an athlete must persevere to achieve their goals, we need the supernatural virtue of perseverance to achieve eternal life. Our gospel reading today remind us that the pilgrim walk on this earth is full of challenges. Suffering and all kinds of evils exist in this fallen world. Our eyes must be kept on Jesus who will grant us the grace of perseverance to remain faithful until He comes. His Second Coming will be a moment of rejoicing for all those who have remained faithful and now receive their reward of Eternal life.