There was a day when I fixed my own flat tires. Then came a time when the lug nuts were so tight I couldn’t turn them. So I joined the automobile association. Now, when my car breaks down, I take out my phone and call for help. Then I wait, sometimes for over an hour. Upon arrival they look into the trunk of my car to get the spare tire. What if I don’t have one? The problem can get worse.
We learn, usually from experience, to prepare for car problems. We make sure we have a spare tire, keep the help card in our wallets, remember to carry our phones with us, and try to learn the art of waiting. Preparing does not keep us from having the problems, but it does equip us with a way out of them.
Today’s first reading tells us how to deal, not with car problems, but with life problems (Sirach 2:1-11).
“My son, when you come to serve the Lord…prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, incline your ear and receive a word of understanding, undisturbed in time of adversity.”
Trials will come. We will all face times of adversity. We can’t wish hard times away. Can we do anything about it now? Sirach tells us to “prepare,” which means to turn our ear to God and learn to listen to him every day. This will give us the power, not to avoid trials, but to be “undisturbed” during the course of them.
“Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not…Accept whatever befalls you, when sorrowful, be steadfast, and in crushing misfortune be patient.”
None of us wants to have “crushing misfortune.” Sirach seems to imply that it will come for one who serves the Lord. Back to our flat tires. We have little choice but to wait for help. Trying to fix the problem ourselves only weakens and frustrates us. While we are waiting, we can do so patiently or we can get angry and start kicking the tire. Patience and acceptance work better for us. We can maintain peace while we wait. The secret is to make it a habit of “clinging to God,” and during times when we feel sorrowful—and everyone has seasons of sorrow in their lives—though we may be tempted to forsake God, we remain steady and trust in him.
Sirach explains the purpose of sorrow and crushing misfortune:
“For in fire gold and silver are tested, and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation.”
We are gold. We are made in the image and likeness of God. At the same time we are “contaminated gold.” God’s purpose is to make us holy, and that means we go through the refiner’s fire. This comes in the unpleasant and unwanted “crucible of humiliation.” So what do we do?
“Trust God and he will help you; trust in him, and he will direct your way…wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall…hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy…love him, and your hearts will be enlightened.”
Trust, wait for mercy, be steadfast, hope, love him—the result is “enlightenment.” God knows what his doing. Trials serve a purpose and they are always temporary. In the end comes his mercy and joy. It is our challenge to love the Lord, keep listening to his voice, and trust in him completely.
“Compassionate and merciful is the Lord; he forgives sins, he saves us in time of trouble” (Sirach 2:11).
