Escape, Shrink, Compromise or ENDURE?

Friday, 2nd week in Eastertide

13th April, 2018: Acts 5: 34-42; Jn 6: 1-15

One term that unites the two readings today is the term "test". Jesus himself is tested with such a big number to feed. He tests his disciples throwing a challenge on them. And in the first reading we have Gamaliel setting up a test for the believers: a test of time! All of these are tests that bring out the quality of Endurance.

If Jesus were to have taken an escapist mode of reaction to the situation,  or the disciples the shirking mode,  or the first believers a comfort seeking compromise mode... we would have nothing of what we believe and belong to today.

May we be have these modes in our way of responding to trying times in our life: 
- Are we on a Escape Mode: trying to run away from the situation, take the shortest exit possible, easy decisions to quit?
- Are we on a Shrink Mode: closing our eyes and refusing to see the problem, recklessly trying to find someone on whom we can blame the entire thing wash our hands off it?
- Are we on a Compromise Mode: saying anything is fine and nothing is wrong, each one has the liberty to do what he or she wants, provided we do not disturb each other?

None of these is expected of a true disciple of Christ! The only mode that is becoming of a Christ-ian is the Endurance Mode.

Endurance is the time tested virtue that enables us to stand the test of time. The Martyrs of old,  great saints in history,  the holy ones of our times,  all of them stand proofs to one fact: Endurance helps faith mature and endurance is a mark of a mature faith!