What is your biggest challenge in life? Amidst the hardships of life, have you ever considered giving up?

Today Paul encourages us, "...I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance..." (Eph. 1:18).

No matter how daunting a challenge we face, God has prepared a wonderful future for us. Do not give up.

Jesus also encourages his followers facing conflict, "...do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say" (Lk. 12:11-12).

St Ignatius of Antioch was a 2nd century bishop and martyr. When persecuted for his faith, he did not give up. The Holy Spirit gave him words: his last writings reveal that Ignatius believed that his death would actually unite him with Christ. He discovered meaning in his suffering. He said that in the arena, he would be crushed in the teeth of the lion like wheat that is crushed to become the Eucharistic body of Christ.

Such courage when facing death encouraged other Christians to keep being faithful to Jesus, even amidst suffering.