SAINT MONICA (MEMORIAL)

He will keep you firm to the end. . . . God is faithful, and by him you were called. 

A popular children’s book revolves around a young boy’s “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.”   We all have them—days when we try hard to love God, care for our families, and curb the excesses in our lives—and yet everything still seems to go wrong.   Sin and failure happen.   Doubt and worry creep in.   We wonder if we will ever be able to change, especially when the devil whispers in our ears, “You’re beyond redemption.”

The community in Corinth had its bad days as well.   Founded in a relatively new, prosperous, and cosmopolitan city, the Corinthian church struggled with internal divisions, arguments about spiritual gifts, and immoral practices among its members.   Yet despite all that, Paul remained hopeful.   He even began his letter by thanking God “for the grace . . . bestowed on you in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4).

On those difficult days, you can follow Paul’s lead and thank God because he has called you and he will keep you firm to the end (1 Corinthians 1:8).   Thank the Father who loves you so much that he sent his Son to save you.   Thank him for calling you before you had even decided to follow him, however imperfect that path now looks to you.   On your worst day, that call hasn’t changed, and if all you can do is say, “Here I am, Lord,” that’s a start.

As you seek to take hold of the faith to which you were called, striving your best toward holiness, God will continue to pour out grace to help you, especially on those very bad days.   Remember, even your desire to answer his call is grace!   The drive to hold onto what you profess and live a life of faith is also grace.   Even the awareness of falling short always comes wrapped in the grace to repent and proceed anew.

The next time you have a “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day,” stop and thank God, who is faithful, who has called you, and who will keep you firm to the end.

“Thank you, God, for your call, for your grace, and for promising to keep me firm to the end.”

Psalm 145:2-7
Matthew 24:42-51