Delivered by Cendani from the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption Mamajang in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. James 1: 1-11; Rs psalm 119: 67.68.71.72.75.76; Mark 8: 11-13. ENJOYING THETEST The title for our meditation today is: Enjoying theTest. In all aspects of our lives, the test takes place in a process to prove aresult in both quantity and quality. Whatever the form and character of thetest, the basic condition that we knowledge is that the person who takes thetest is being tried or tested for a standard of qualification. There is a common attitude or reaction seen in the onewho faces the test. This is about the state of the mind and body of the one whofaces the test, namely the negative or positive reaction. People can benervous, palpitating, scared, insecure, and complaining. People can also bebrave, concentrated, focused, confident, exited to face and finally pass thetest. The situation can be seen on their faces, but even more exciting is intheir souls. Both of these situations illustrate how one enjoys the test. People behave negatively when facing tests due tovarious reasons. The most common one is because the person concerned hasinsufficient knowledge or basically unprepared. Mental or emotionalunpreparedness usually causes the human body nervous, shaking, sweaty, andweak. In such circumstances, surrender perhaps becomes impossible when forinstance the person concerned does not refuse to face and proceed to take itwith the risk of an outcome below expectation. This proportionally contradicts with the positive andoptimistic behavior when someone facing tets, namely the person concerned isready in spirit and body. In fact, this readiness is expressed with anexcitement and longing to anticipate the test. This behavior can prove that theperson concerned is confident on the results to be achieved with satisfactionand meeting expectations. Hopefully this behavior also represents a mental characterin those who believe that good or bad results are not their concern, but anopportunity to learning and trainning to maturity. These two positive behaviors are shown by our tworeadings today. Saint James in the first reading advises that the tests in lifemust be faced and passed that we may be able to remain in perseverance in thepath to perfection. Jesus was constantly tested by the Pharisees and thescribes. But usually Jesus silenced them. He is God, so there is no need for atest. But what He considers to be a setback is that those who tested Him hadproved to gain nothing. It means that Jesus is always ready, whereas they werenot prepared to face test. So the basic law is certain: before the actual test,you must first start with many warm-up exams, namely preparations andanticipation in all ways and forms. Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord JesusChrist, teach us to put the right and appropriate words and actions in everyopportunity we face the various tests of life. Hail Mary, full of grace... Inthe name of the Father ...