Sincere of heart...

The readings for Holy Mass yesterday were very insightful.  I realise that the first reading presented in clear cut terms the whole charter of a religious or priestly vocation.  The reading from Sirach states clearly what and how a person who seeks to serve the Lord, and the Lord alone ought to do and be.

My son, when you come to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity. Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great. Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient; For in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation. Trust God and he will help you; make straight your ways and hope in him. You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest you fall. You who fear the LORD, trust him, and your reward will not be lost. You who fear the LORD, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy.

The only pitfall that I see is that very many prefer to stick to the latter part of the text forgetting the basic, the initial part of the text...

Be sincere of heart and steadfast,... 

Except this they do everything else... cling to the Lord, fear Him, follow Him, preach Him but fail to realise that if my heart is not rooted in Him, everything else scatters.  

And that's the most interesting challenge of religious life... root our life in Him and then branch out!