the one who endures to the end will be saved

The phase from the Gospel of Matthew from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today underlines the importance of endurance in our relationships. The climax of the episode from the Book of Genesis today is the proclamation of Jacob that he can now die because he has been re-united with his beloved son Joseph in the land of Goshen in Egypt. Genesis relates the struggle and endurance of Jacob as he attended to the communication he experienced with the Divine throughout his life. The psalmist praises those who, like Jacob, trust in God and put justice and goodness at the forefront of their life. The security of their ongoing relationship carries them eternally through famine and struggle to life. The Gospel of Matthew advises the disciples that they will endure persecution as they bring their message of Life to the towns of Israel. Intimate communion with the Son of God will be their experience and their “saving” before they have endured much suffering.