St. Matthew Catholic Church

Weekly Message     

47. Endurance to the End 

Dear brothers and sisters,   

     Endurance is patience concentrated. Unlike most competitions, running a race in spiritual terms is not to try to be first, but to be faithful and finish! The Christian race is not competitive, but endurance to see who finishes faithfully [2Tim. 4:7].

     As we near the end of the liturgical year, the readings sound apocalyptic - fire, destruction, and endings, etc.; not to frighten us, but to awaken us. God reminds us that this world, though beautiful, is temporary; what endures is our relationship with Him, the unchanging God. “One who endures till the end will be saved” [Mt.24:13]

     Two frogs accidentally jumped into a milk pail in a dairy. After struggling to get out, one lost hope, stopped swimming, and drowned. The other kept swimming despite exhaustion, hoping for a way out. His constant movement churned the creamy milk till it thickened into butter. The frog then climbed onto the butter, rested, and jumped safely out of the pail.

     Endurance is not passive waiting - it’s active faith: holding onto God, doing what is right, serving others, and trusting His work amid uncertainty. St. Paul tells us to live responsibly, not idly. Waiting for the Lord means working faithfully, showing faith through effort and perseverance.
At home: Endurance might mean staying patient with your family, choosing forgiveness instead of anger.
At work or school: It may mean continuing to do your best even when others take shortcuts or discourage you.
In faith: It’s showing up in prayer, in worship, even when you don’t feel like it trusting that God’s near.
In hardship: When you feel tested remember your perseverance is not wasted. Every moment you remain faithful builds eternal life within you.

Prayers and Blessings!

Msgr. Xavier Pappu
                                      Insert:  Giving to God/Dar a Dios.pdf

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