Tolerating evil means overcoming it with Jesus, and in Jesus’ own way, which is not the way of the world. This is why Paul considered himself a victor about to receive his crown (cf. 2 Tim4:8). He writes: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (v. 7).
The essence of his “good fight” was living for: he lived not for himself, but for Jesusand for others. He spent his life “running the race”, not holding back but giving his all. He tells us that there is only one thing that he “kept”: not his health, but his faith, his confession of Christ. Out of love, he experienced trials, humiliations and suffering, which are never to be sought but always accepted.
In the mystery of suffering offered up in love, in this mystery, embodied in our own day by so many of our brothers and sisters who are persecuted, impoverished and infirm, the saving power of Jesus’ cross shines forth.
Pope Francis
