Photo: Sister Nancy A. Sell, OSF
Perhaps it wasn’t completely wise to be outside by the water on an early, blustery early fall morning, yet the dawning day beckoned me. The wind whirled around me, my hiking boots griping the rocks. I clutched my camera while situating myself before the roaring waves. The panorama of beauty surrounding me was breath-taking. The contrast of clouds and early morning sun rising persistently was like none I had experienced. The rain amid the early rays of morning reminded me of the contrasts of life. While all around life’s questions emerge, the divine invites inner stillness. The contrast in many ways is incomprehensible to the mind yet stunningly enfolding to the soul. The Gospel of Luke (21:5-19) in the Christian Scriptures tells a story of such contrast.
Jesus, surrounded by the curious, responds to a question about signs and wonders. Getting right to the heart of the matter, Jesus reminds them that even though everything around them may fall apart with uncertainty and emerging self-doubt, they will not be harmed. They may be hated and persecuted but not destroyed. I will give you the wisdom you need, Jesus said. And the key, perseverance: “by your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
Perseverance–trusting, hoping, staying the course, believing, taking the time and trusting the divine and embracing light in the midst of clouds.
Our invitation is to embrace the light.
Blessings and peace
Reflections From SisterNancy, a Franciscan Sister (Nun) 
This is awesomely beautiful. there is nothing like sunsrise especially on a challenging morning. The perseverance you designate makes me think that is what I might call Salvation. It is what saves me day by day; night my night. It is that which will bring me into eternal life.
I am because God Is. It also makes me think of this statement. “just to be is ecstacy. Unfortunately, I have forgotten who said this.