Monday of Week 6 – James 1:1-11; Psalm 118:67-68,71-72,75-76; Mark 8:11-13

I’ve always had the suspicion that Christianity is a religion for the crackpot. We read in Saint James:

My brothers, you will always have your trials but, when they come, try to treat them as a happy privilege; you understand that your faith is only put to the test to make you patient, but patience too is to have its practical results so that you will become fully developed, complete, with nothing missing.

Many experiences . . . . Various crosses I have carried in life. But it wasn’t too bad. For seven years now it has been a heavy that hasn’t got lighter, on the contrary. Especially when I hear that a Christian should always be joyful and that I, at best, over time, have only learned to smile before others in my sadness. Will I now go with my face tipped toward the ground up to the end? I don’t know. But, Saint James will intercede for me, that: I will try to regard my experiences as being full of joy. Though I don’t believe that I can become perfect and faultless, yet let my crosses become my joys. Let me be aware that in these indignities I am not alone. Next to me goes Christ Himself.

Jesus, by accompanying me in the challenges of life You make my heart free from the burden of others’ opinions and expectations. Thank You.

Looking through the cross things are different  . . .

Perfection is an awareness of our own imperfections. (St. Augustine)