Fr. Nnamdi Moneme: What Our Trials Teach Us About Discipleship

Have we ever paused to reflect on the purpose of the trials that we face as Jesus’ disciples? Has it ever occurred to us that we can learn a lot from our trials as disciples?

The Prophet Jeremiah learns three basic truths by facing the trials that come from being a messenger of God to His people.

First, he learns about his true self and ability from this trial. He sees himself as “the poor,” one who is helpless in the face of the “power of the wicked.” He comes to accept that he is completely incapable to fulfill this mission on his own in the face of all opposition. He sees the need to surrender to God, “For to you (God) I have entrusted my cause.”

Second, he learns about his true friends and enemies, “All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. ‘Perhaps he can be tricked; then we will prevail, and take our vengeance on him.’” This moment of trial allows him to differentiate his true friends from his pseudo-friends. ….

Read more here:  catholicexchange.com/what-our-trials-teach-us-about-discipleship