February 26, 2019 Tuesday of the 7th Week of Ordinary Time-C

Sirach 2:1-11

Psalm 37

Mark 9:30-37

Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not… Sir. 2:3

Lord, nobody wants trouble.  None of us go looking for suffering and pain.  As much as we try to avoid stress and anxiety, it will come because it is a part of our human condition.  Even you were not immune from rejection, confrontation, anger, fury and finally suffering and death.  We get sick, lose our jobs, fight with relatives and have car accidents.  Sirach makes it clear that the best way to face all this stuff is to trust in you.  He says to fear the Lord at all times, wait for your grace and never, ever give up on God.  He says the trials of life test us and purify us and make us better when we stay the course and continue to look to you for help and strength.  As much as we suffer, your grace is more.  You tell your disciples there is great value in humble acceptance of trials and those who wait for God to produce good from evil are rewarded.  In the end, dear Jesus, may I always cling to you no matter what.  You know all that I must deal with and only want what’s good for me.   Lord, all my hope is in you.  Amen.