I thought I had toiled in vain,
and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,
Yet my reward is with the Lord,
my recompense is with my God. (Is 49:4)
Drudgery, trial, toil. These, we often believe, are the “hallmarks” of a Christian as we try to navigate through this world’s treacheries to the Kingdom of God. We tend to think that what we do is nothing more than spin our wheels. We try and try and seem to get nowhere. We look at the work that we do and we think that it is and has been all in vain.
Isaiah reflects that in today’s reading. However, he also reminds us that there is a great reward: God. St. Paul also acknowledged that in his first letter to the Church in Corinth when he wrote, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor 15:58)
The last thing that we want to believe is that our work has been in vain.
Throughout the past five and a half weeks, we have toiled with our Lenten resolutions. We have done all that we could do to get closer to God. Sometimes we may have felt as if we were “almost there” and other times may have felt a million miles away.
You know what, though? God appreciates the effort and has blessed the journey!
We are so close to the celebration of Easter. Our Triduum begins in two days. Remain firm. Continue to toil. Your work is not in vain.
FAITH ACTION: We often feel as if our toil and labor is getting us nowhere. Rely on God this day as He is our great reward.