Applying Scriptures:
Shifting responsibility back to me

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  Anna Pasic

I always wonder if others have the same difficulty as I do relating Scripture readings, however eloquently stated, to everyday life. It's hard to discern the themes of the readings every Sunday morning.

When I looked at the readings and the Gospel for this week though, it was clear to me that there was a theme and it was that through hard work and perseverance, justice would ultimately be served with the Lord.

Now came the difficult part - how does this apply to me?   The Gospel speaks of "wars and insurrections" and "earthquakes, famines, and plagues." Am I supposed to be waiting for these? I realize that my own life could serve as something of a canvas for God, a canvas to provide opportunities to either persevere or fail.

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Nov. 14, 2004) Mal 3:19-20a Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 2 Thess 3:7-12 Lk 21:5-19

As a junior in high school, recently beginning a new year with new classes, new teachers, and new friends, I'm faced with a lot of "wars and insurrections."  Just today I was sat down on the couch in the living room and questioned by my parents about a call they received that morning from one of my teachers.

It seems that I am not doing as well as I should in one of my classes. A predictable argument ensued and my rebuttal, always the same, went, "It's not my fault, Mom! That teacher is really mean!"

I was faced with a couple of options. On the phone with my best friend, we both agreed that it was completely my teacher's fault. With me in tears and my friend enraged, our plan was that, instead of reflecting on why we did so poorly in class and working to do better, we would blame the teacher.

However, God says that, "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first. It will not immediately be the end," even though, to me it seemed like the end. A poor grade was leaving me grounded from the homecoming football game and without Instant Messenger for the rest of the semester.

	Reflection questions • Do you focus on the barrier or the goal? • Do you focus on someone else's faults when they may stand in your way? • How can perseverance and hard work lead you towards God? • Do you work to rise above the challenges in your life to achieve your goals?

Because of my life of faith, I know that success in my class is something that is important to me in the long run. There are things that stand in my way, and there were things that always will. The teacher, I still think, deserves some of the blame - that shows how stubborn I am.

I really know that it is up to me to make my own decisions and rise above the challenges that are placed in front of me, either by the Lord or a teacher. Through perseverance and hard work I could easily achieve my goal in the class and through those same traits can find justice in God.

Anna Pasic is a junior at West Madison High School. She and her family attend St. Paul's University Catholic Center.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

Faith Alive!

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