“The saints are those who struggle right to the end of their lives...” (Saint Josemaria, “The Forge” at 186).
The other day, one of my children behaved in a really unacceptable manner.
This was not the first time that this child had behaved inappropriately, and I am absolutely certain that it will not be the last time either…
And as I was in the midst of this terrible episode where my child was ignoring ever single element of decent behaviour that they had ever been taught there was a moment where I thought to myself – It is completely hopeless and I will NEVER be able to get this child to become a decent contributing member of society because instead of doing to simple thing and actually giving up the batter (for their own good and in their own best interests) they were resisting me on every count and trying to prove to me that I was wrong and they were right in this situation…
Saint Josemaria wrote in “The Forge” at 186, “The saints are those who struggle right to the end of their lives, who always get up each time they stumble, each time they fall, and courageously embark on their way once more with humility, love and hope.”
And I have been reflecting on that today because it seems that the rising up and trying again after each fall is harder and more difficult each time. Each time there is a temptation to think that it is impossible to improve or that improvement is limited or unattainable. And in that moment when the argument is extending and the child is ignoring and the same old behaviour is resurfacing, there is such a strong temptation to give up and give in and assume that the child will be unable to ever improve in their lifetime.
And yet, we are encouraged to “Take heart, I insist, because Christ, who pardoned us on the Cross, is still offering us his pardon through the Sacrament of Penance. We always ‘have an advocate to plead our cause before the Father: the Just One, Jesus Christ. He, in his own person, is the atonement made for our sins, and not only for ours, but for the sins of the whole world’ (John 2:1-2), so that we may win the Victory.” (Saint Josemaria, “Friends of God”, at 214).
And I have been reflecting on that today – because as the old cliché goes… It is not over until it is over. And it is not over while there is breath in their body or in mine. And that means that I must continue to roll up my sleeves and try again and again and again for all the days of my Earthly life – and theirs. Because there is much work to be done.
And one day – possibly after I have long been in the Grave – the Lord will speak directly into their ear and remind them of the words I tried to teach them on that horrible day, and they will hear those words.
And that will be a miracle. A truly wonderful miracle. And as their mother, it is for that miracle that I pray!
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.