“Patience is not just about waiting for something. It’s about how you wait, or your attitude while waiting.”
~ Joyce Meyer
I think it is safe to say that no one really likes to wait. There is an inner revulsion at having to wait for anything. We begin our lives seeking immediate gratification. When a baby cries, it quickly learns that it can manipulate its environment. A cry will result in a parent’s attention, in nourishment, in cuddling, in some kind of interaction.
As we continue to grow, we look for ways to get what we want when we want it. If it looks like we will have to wait, we look for a different option. Just look at any store and watch those who approach the lines at the registers. There are many who will take their cart from one line to the next in an attempt to ensure as quick a check out as possible. When they find that another line ended up going quicker than the one they chose, they are often quite vocal about it.
Patience is a virtue. Patience is something we are told that we need to cultivate. In our faith lives, patience is an absolute must. Yet patience is the last thing most of us want to practice.
The Church is patiently making its way through the Easter season. There are still many weeks to go before we arrive at the end of the season with the celebration of Pentecost. Throughout this season, our readings show us the patient side of Jesus, as He does His best to teach His followers about the abiding love of God.
Jesus not only taught about patience by words, He taught by deed as well. He was patient when others argued with Him. He was patient when others misunderstood what He said. He was patient when others sinned. He was patient when others arrested, tried, and convicted Him. He was patient to the point of death on the cross.
Jesus’ patience is one that has often been emulated by the great saints in the Church. One of the reasons that we so often admire the saints is because they practiced the virtue of patience in their lives and, in doing so, overcame great obstacles.
Patience is not something that can only be admired, it is a virtue that any of us can emulate. The more we practice patience in our lives, the greater peace we will find. The greater peace we find, the more patience we will be able to practice. Search for patience and peace this day.
FAITH ACTION: Ask God to grant you the patience that you need to overcome the obstacles in your life that prevent you from a deeper faith in Him.