In today’s gospel the Pharisees send a lawyer to entrap Christ by “testing” His teachings. But what about when God tests us, challenges us? Do we stand firm in our faith amidst our own struggles and tribulations? Do we stand His tests?
In the Bible, the Greek word used for such testing is dokimion, meaning to “prove by trial.” And throughout Scripture, God has tested many of the great biblical characters. He tested Adam not to eat from a certain tree. He tested Noah to build an ark in the desert. He tested Abraham to not only leave his homeland for an unknown location, but to also be willing to sacrifice his only son. He tested Moses to lead God’s people out of Egypt, and to move ahead into the Red Sea when the Hebrews were seeming trapped.
He tested Daniel to stand firm in his faith – even to the extent of being locked in the lion’s den. And the list goes on, almost endlessly.
Being tested in school is a way to determine or “measure” what you have learned. Being tested by God is a way to measure our faith; that it is real and nothing, no trial, tribulation, or catastrophe can overcome or erase it from our heart. It is how one becomes strong and mature in faith.
David the psalmist likens our testing to being refined like silver put into the furnace, which burns off any impurities making the metal that much more precious and valuable (Psalm 66:10). Therefore, as stated in the epistle of St. James, consider it a joy whenever we are tested, for testing produces endurance and makes us strong.
Fr. John
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