Study:  Reflect on the last time you encountered a difficult situation.  Where did you find the strength to continue?

Pray:  Are you or someone close to you going through tough times right now?  Ask God for renewed strength!

Serve:  Are there people you know who are struggling right now?  What can you do to support them?

Mass Readings – 29th Sunday of the Year

We often tell loved ones to “hang in there” when the going gets tough.  God provides us with strength for the journey, and we see examples of this in the readings this week:

• 1st Reading – Aaron and Hur support Moses as he prays during a battle.
• Psalm – “Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
• 2nd Reading – Timothy is encouraged to “remain faithful to what you have learned and believed.”
• Gospel – Jesus offers the parable of the persistent widow who confronts the dishonest judge.

Let’s face it: sometimes life is hard!  In these moments we discover strength within us that we never knew before, but we also come to recognize how we need help from the Lord and those around us.

And while no one likes difficulty, it is often through our persistence in the face of obstacles that we grow and mature.  Challenges can become opportunities in which we exercise our will to continue.  Like athletes who train with weights, the resistance we face helps us become strong.

As you ponder these readings and consider the challenges of life, give some thought to these points:

1. Is there something hard in my life that I need to face?
2. Are there people in my life who will support me in the midst of challenges?
3. Are the people I am called to support in their challenges?
4. Do I pray every day for myself and others to face difficulties with God’s grace?

In the midst of tough times God is present with grace, wisdom and strength.  May we call upon the Lord as we face our challenges today with persistence.