In the Spirit of Feria V after the 17th Sunday after Pentecost
The readings from Hebrews 10:32-38 and Matthew 24:3-13 offer a powerful meditation on perseverance in the face of suffering and the call to remain faithful during times of tribulation. The liturgy of Feria V, being a weekday after the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, invites us to contemplate these passages with a focus on endurance, watchfulness, and hope — themes often emphasized in the Traditional Catholic liturgical calendar during the close of the liturgical year, when we reflect on the Last Things.
Hebrews 10:32-38: The Call to Persevere in Faith
In Hebrews 10:32-38, St. Paul reminds the faithful to “recall the former days” when they endured sufferings with joy and faith. This passage exhorts believers to persevere in their trials, knowing that their suffering is not without purpose. St. Paul writes:
“You need endurance so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:36)
The Fathers of the Church consistently emphasize that suffering is an essential part of the Christian journey. St. John Chrysostom, in his commentary on Hebrews, reflects that sufferings endured for Christ are to be considered blessings, as they purify the soul and lead to eternal glory. He urges believers to rejoice in their tribulations because they are participating in the life of Christ. Chrysostom notes:
“To suffer for Christ’s sake is not only no disgrace, but an honor; it is a pledge of God’s favor, a means to become partakers of His eternal glory.” (Homilies on Hebrews)This passage speaks to the heart of the Christian life: the need for endurance and the promise of reward. The “great reward” promised to the faithful is eternal life with God, a reality that the early Christians held fast to, even in the face of persecution. St. Cyprian of Carthage echoes this sentiment, teaching that Christians should see their suffering as a way to conform to Christ’s Passion:
“None should fear to suffer for the name of Christ, since it is he himself who suffers in his martyrs.” (Letter to Fortunatus)Matthew 24:3-13: Signs of the End and the Call to Persevere
In the Gospel passage from Matthew, Christ speaks of the signs preceding the end times. His disciples, concerned about the future, ask Him, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the consummation of the world?” (Matt 24:3). Jesus responds with a sobering list: wars, famines, earthquakes, and false prophets. Yet, the key warning is that “the love of many shall grow cold” (Matt 24:12). This chilling prophecy strikes at the heart of Christian life, for it is not only external dangers we must guard against but also the internal threat of losing our fervor in faith.
St. Augustine, reflecting on this passage, warns of the danger of growing cold in charity:
“For iniquity shall abound, and the charity of many shall wax cold. Charity itself, the root of all good works, shall become cold because of the multitude of iniquities” (City of God, Book XX, Ch. 19).Augustine reminds us that as sin increases, it can dampen our love for God and for one another. In such times, Christians must resist this temptation by remaining rooted in prayer, the sacraments, and acts of charity. The antidote to a cold heart is the fire of divine love, which we must continually seek through the means of grace.
Perseverance in the Face of Trial
Both readings ultimately speak to the virtue of perseverance. The trials and tribulations we face, whether personal or cosmic in scale, are part of the Christian journey. Christ does not promise a life free from suffering; rather, He calls us to endure to the end. “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt 24:13). This endurance, or hypomonē as it is called in Greek, is not a passive waiting but an active, hope-filled perseverance.
St. Gregory the Great, in his Homilies on the Gospels, offers profound insight into this Gospel text:
“The love of many grows cold because they neglect their interior life and give in to the pleasures of the world. But those who persevere in keeping their hearts pure from the world and inflamed with divine love will be saved” (Homily 35).Gregory’s words highlight the key to perseverance: maintaining a pure heart, untangled from worldly distractions. This echoes the call of the Epistle to the Hebrews to avoid “shrinking back” (Heb 10:38) and instead to live by faith. It is faith that allows us to see beyond the present trials to the reward that awaits.
Liturgical Context: The Call to Holiness
The season after Pentecost is a time when the Church directs our attention to growth in virtue and holiness. The readings for this Feria after the Seventeenth Sunday help us reflect on the spiritual battles we face. We are reminded that we are part of the Church Militant, striving not just against external enemies but also against internal lukewarmness and sin. As St. Paul writes elsewhere, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers” (Eph 6:12).
In this spiritual battle, we are armed with the tools of grace—prayer, the sacraments, and the Word of God. As we meditate on these readings, let us remember that we are not alone in our struggles. The Church, militant on earth and triumphant in heaven, accompanies us. The saints, like St. Paul, St. Augustine, and St. Gregory, cheer us on from their heavenly thrones, urging us to persevere in faith, hope, and charity.
Conclusion: Waiting with Hope, Enduring with Faith
The readings from Hebrews 10 and Matthew 24 are a call to prepare for Christ’s return by living lives of steadfast faith and love. Our perseverance in the face of suffering is not in vain, for Christ will come again in glory to reward His faithful servants. As we await that day, let us heed the words of the saints and the wisdom of the Church, enduring patiently, remembering our past victories in Christ, and striving to keep our love from growing cold.
In the words of St. Paul: “We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls” (Heb 10:39). Amen.