licking honey from a thorn

Wisdom 2:1,12-22; Ps 34 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; John7:1-2,10,25-30

It was a writer from slovenia that said his grandfather would always say that living life was like licking honey from a thorn. Interesting analogy and according to the book of wisdom and the gospel, it is an exact description of the life of the just man.

"let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the flaw and charges us with violations for our training. he professes to have knowledge of God and styles himself a child of the Lord...let us see whether is words be true...with revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience..."

The refrains from the psalm points to the same reality: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.


The gospel paints the picture of Christ: "So they tried to arrest him..."

Living the life of faith can be like licking honey from a thorn. But what honey it is!

"Taste and see the goodness of the lord."

Life can be thorny. Difficulties arise because of our insistence on faith and adhering to God's cll for us in our life. So like the just man our gentleness and patience will be tried so that can see: what a witness we bring.

Licking honey from a thorn. What Honey!

Quote from Pope Benedict on St. Joseph

"The silence of St Joseph was not the sign of an inner void, but on the contrary, of the fullness of faith he carried in his heart, and which guided each and every one of his thoughts and actions."