Patience… is something that I have been forced to work on lately, and it has been a rather painful process. Anger so easily rises to the surface.

The timing of this reflection was perfect for me because it was humbling to be shown how much patience Jesus must have had in this moment. The Sadducees presented Him with a trick question in an attempt to agitate him. They presented Jesus with a scenario intended to make the resurrection look ridiculous. But He didn’t take the bait. I can’t imagine the fortitude Jesus must have had to take a deep breath and respond the way He did. His answer also reminded me not to get lost in the weeds. Just as small things can irritate me when I am already in a bad mood, some of the more obscure parts of Christianity can be tempting to lose oneself within. This is not to say that the resurrection is a small part of Christianity - it is not! Quite the contrary, it is certainly a pillar on which our faith stands. However, I find it difficult sometimes to prevent myself from going to great lengths concocting convoluted scenarios to disprove my own faith.

The second reading provided me with some balm to soothe my previously described feelings. I would like to encourage the reader to sit with the second and larger paragraph. Does anything speak to you? Every line struck me. “The word of the Lord must be glorified.” Now, this may be difficult for some to do. Perhaps we have questions, or doubts. Maybe our own trials feel like they are blocking our connection with God. “But the Lord is faithful, he with strengthen you and guard you from the evil one”. Strengthen…. That is the key for me. I am not meant to walk this path alone. The path of belief, of anger, of frustration. God is there to strengthen me. And what a wondrous thing that is!