Always remember that a religion at whose centre is the crucified Christ in not meant to be easy or comfortable.  Indeed, it is far better not to embark on it at all, than to start on it and then to quit.  As Our Lord has said, “No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (NRSV, Luke 9:62) but “anyone who endures to the end will be saved” (NRSV, Matthew 24:13).

And with triumphant confidence in God, St Paul echoed those words in that letter which he dictated to St Luke: “For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (RSV Catholic edition, 2 Timothy 4:6-8).

Let us support and encourage each other in the Christian Faith.  And may we, like Paul and Luke, also be given the grace of final perseverance, so that when our time comes, as come it must, we also may be entitled to echo those same words.

Prayer for perseverance

Heavenly Father, help us to support and encourage each other in our Christian Faith and give us grace to persevere in serving you to the end of our lives.  So may we come at last to share in the joys of Heaven with all those faithful souls gone before who have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the Faith.  Amen.