Every difficulty and challenge in life forces us to make different choices, and for many followers of Christ throughout the ages, each time is a choice between going or staying.
During the past two or three days of this retreat, we emphasized that life on earth is akin to a pilgrimage in this world. Every journey should bring us rich experiences that we can enjoy. However, life in this world is full of challenges. How do we resolve the contradictions within? The key lies in whether we perceive the hardships of this world as “calamities” given by God or as opportunities granted by Him for our “self-improvement.”
A mature and successful Olympic athlete does not view daily training as unbearable torture, but is grateful for the opportunity to receive training and improve his skills and standards to achieve greater excellence and perfection. Without this mindset, the athlete would not be able to surpass himself, let alone compete with others.
As pilgrims in this world and followers of Christ, we must adopt this same mindset, or more precisely, see things with the eyes of faith, that allows us to face life’s challenges fearlessly, thereby reaching the “perfect” state that God has set for us and ultimately receiving the crown of life, which is eternal life. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount:
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
It is impossible! How can we, as humans, be expected to be as perfect as our Heavenly Father? Indeed, for humans, it is impossible, but for God, all things are possible!
This is also the will of the Father! Jesus became man, uniting His flawless divinity with sinful humanity, thus elevating humanity to divinity.
This demonstrates the depth of God’s love for us, which surpasses all imagination!
Therefore, the primary purpose of life on earth is a journey toward “perfection” in God. All the trials and tribulations we encounter along the way serve as stepping stones on our path to holiness.
However, when Jesus gradually raised the expectations for His disciples, some chose to give up, feeling that His demands were unreasonable, absurd, too difficult, or too harsh. In fact, on one occasion, when Jesus was teaching about eating His body and drinking His blood, which once again raised the bar, many of His disciples said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” (John 6:60). From that time on, many of His disciples turned back and no longer went about with Him (John 6:66). Then Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” (John 6:67).
Indeed, choosing to persevere is not easy. It requires strong faith and hope, as well as the determination to endure challenges and difficulties. Only then can we reach our destination on this earthly pilgrimage and receive the crown of eternal life.
We must recognize that while the cost of perseverance is high, the cost of giving up is even higher! It is not up to us to set the threshold, unless we choose not to be Christians at all, but whether we accept God’s invitation and His assistance on this journey is entirely our choice.
Reflection
Do you also feel that the teachings and demands of Jesus are too difficult to accept? Have you ever considered giving up or even leaving Jesus?
If you accept Jesus’ teachings, have you actually put them into practice? What obstacles are preventing you from doing so?
Did your heart ache when you heard Jesus ask His beloved twelve disciples, “Do you also wish to go away?” Do you feel the pain God felt when He saw so many of His children leave Him?
Today’s Prayer
Lord, God, thank You for allowing me to understand Your expectations for me more deeply today, as well as the meaning and struggles behind them. Even more so, thank You for letting me feel Your profound love for me.
Please tell me, how many times have I broken Your heart and turned away from You. I cannot imagine the pain You endure every time I choose to leave You and make decisions that wound Your heart.
Abba Father! I don’t want this to happen again! Please help me humbly accept the purpose of my life that You have lovingly planned for me and the trials You allow me to face. Please do not let me be self-centred anymore, and let You witness my departure once again and suffer from the pain I inflict upon You!
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Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
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對，堅持很重要，希望在朝聖路上依主教訓而行。
在反思與抉擇的過程中，我也曾經面對這些困惑和掙扎。的確，有時候主耶穌的教導讓我們感到沉重與挑戰，彷彿是在考驗我的信念和勇氣。我承認，這些要求有時讓我感到無法承受，甚至想過放棄。然而，隨著時間的推移，我發現，這些教誨真正的意義在於鞏固我們的信仰，並促使我們成長。
我努力去接受主耶穌的訓誨，但現實往往讓我力不從心。在這過程中，我也遭遇了許多阻礙 – 自我懷疑、世俗的誘惑，以及對未知的恐懼。但每次當我感受到心靈的痛楚，我也在同時體會到一種無法用言語形容的愛，這正是來自於主的。
當耶穌問祂的門徒是否願意離去時，那句話如同一把利刃，直刺我的心。那份心痛，不僅是因為耶穌的孤獨，也源於我內心深處的掙扎。我明白，當我面對信仰的困難時，真正的考驗是我是否願意持守這份信任，並在挫折中尋找光明。
因此，我會繼續努力，雖然不易，但這段旅程將使我更加堅定。每一個挑戰都是增長的機會，每一次心痛都在提醒我，那份愛與信仰永遠與我同在。對於這份信仰，我選擇留下，因為在主裡的力量與愛，讓我有勇氣面對一切。
我沒有想過去放棄，每一次遇到難關時， 我都是經過祈禱重獲力量，還有來自各方的支持和關心，一切都是天主考妙的安排， 我只希望做回天主創造的我， 不與人比較，做回一朵小花🌻