Endurance

I read an article a few weeks ago (something posted on LinkedIn, I think) which claimed that Westerners in general have been for some time operating in a fog of exhaustion, particularly among certain classes in North America. Our normal pace is so frantic that when extraordinary effort is called for, we typically either a) fail to meet the challenge, or b) we meet the challenge and collapse afterward. With COVID-19 we saw both outcomes in our healthcare system, in our logistics and supply-chain systems, and in our home systems.

We have forgotten life is not a sprint but a marathon.

Many of us approach our spiritual lives that way too. We jump in feet first, immerse ourselves in Psalm recitation, heavy Bible reading, tons of prayer, and before we know it we hit a spiritual exhaustion that is all to real and a sort of listlessness, sloth, or even despondency, a true apathy, sets in.

At Mass today, we hear St. Paul talk of those who made busywork their primary goal rather than attending to supporting themselves, who had gotten weary with doing the right thing and turned their attentions to doing the "fun" thing or at least the diverting thing.[1] Jesus likewise in talking about the end (or at least when the Temple came down) speaks of getting caught up in all the bad news constantly surrounding us, then getting diverted by the news, or by difficulties, or even by overtly hostile aggression.[2] Both speak of enduring in holding the course, in adhering to what they learned from the beginning.

Part of this is learning to manage one's energies and resources to do the work of the Kingdom effectively and not unduly burdening each other with demands that distract others from doing their part for the Kingdom of God. Part of this is ensuring that we can work through the difficulties thrown our way and understanding that there will be difficulties. Even with our perpetual state of busy-ness and the world falling apart around us, we are enjoined to be good stewards of our resources, engaging in work where we can, and having something to deal with difficulties as they arise.

Patient endurance is what we are called to do. And it is by our endurance that we will make it to the end and not fall short.[3]

[1] 2 Thes. 3.6-13

[2] Lk. 21.5-19

[3] Lk. 21.19