In the Christian life, the old saying is true: "All's well that ends well." Some people are like the good thief who probably lived a terribly sinful life but repented moments before his death (Lk 23:42-43). Others may be like Judas Iscariot, who spent every day with Jesus for three years, but in the end betrayed Christ and committed suicide.

Will each of us persevere in our faith? "Our desire is that each of you show the same zeal to the end" (Heb 6:11). We persevere because we hope. "In hope we were saved" (Rm 8:24). The Lord gives us hope by His promise and His oath (Heb 6:13, 16). "By two things that are unchangeable, in which He could not lie, we who have taken refuge in Him might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope which is placed before us" (Heb 6:18). Not only does faith come through hearing God's Word (see Rm 10:17) but also hope comes by believing God's Word. Believing God's promise and oath, we hold on to hope and refuse to let go until we are home in heaven with our Lord forever. We persevere because we "hope so." "Seize the hope" (Heb 6:18).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 16, 2018

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