None of us can claim to have mastered
perfectly the virtue of patience. We think we have made a major victory in
acquiring patience, and then, out of the blue and taken by surprise, we
explode! Our illusion of being the most patient person in the world went up in
smoke!
Patience is so important that our
model in all virtues, Jesus the Lord said: “By
your patience you will save your souls.” One pious soul prayed in
desperation: “Lord, give me patience and
right now!” Maybe this has been your prayer for the last few years!
Our patience can be tried in many
shapes and forms, times and circumstances, in season and out of season! What
then are these “things” that can put our patience to the test? Let’s see!
The failure of health, economic
set-backs, family members that could put the holy Job to the test, weather
extremes, failed and broken relationships, and even God. Sometimes it seems as if God is extremely
distant, does not seem to hear my prayers, or at least seems to be uninterested
or indifferent to my pleadings. All of the above can be an acid test to try my
patience.
What then are ways that we can
acquire the all-important virtue of patience, that as Jesus reminds us, is
necessary for the salvation of our immortal souls? We will offer five concrete
ways that we can attain patience!
1.
PRAYER. St. Ignatius insists that we must beg for the
grace. St. Augustine humbly reminds us that we are all beggars before God. God
is willing to give if we simply persevere in asking Him. Remember the persistent widow who gained the
favor of the callous and cold-hearted judge for the simple reason that she kept
begging for his help. “Ask and you will
receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
(Mt. 7:7)
2.
JESUS’ LIFE. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father
except through me.” There is a
saying: “Tell me with whom you associate and I will tell you who you are.” If we spend time meditating on the Gospels
and the words, gestures, and actions of Jesus, then it will rub off on us. We will start to imitate Jesus more and more
and specifically in the virtue of patience.
3.
PASSION OF CHRIST. Many saints had a magnetic drawing of their
hearts to read and meditate upon the greatest love story in the world. “No
greater love than to die for the loved ones.” A constant meditation on the Passion,
suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus can prove to be an infinite source
of blessings and key to open up the door of patience to the most hardened of
hearts! Three suggestions on how to meditate on the Passion of Jesus: 1) Read
and contemplate the four Gospels; 2) Read the “Dolorous Passion of Christ” by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerick ;
3) Finally, view the movie of Mel Gibson, “The Passion of the Christ”--- but
see it not so much as a Hollywood rendition, but rather as a contemplative
prayer.
4.
TRIALS AND OPPORTUNITIES. Then when the trials descend upon us like a
torrential deluge, call to mind some element of the Passion of Christ, either
from the Gospels, Emmerick, or the movie of Gibson. What will happen is the following. The trial will be viewed in a more universal
and supernatural perspective. The trial
that has visited me indeed is very painful, but in comparison to what Our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ has gone through it is a mere trifle! Also I suffer
trials partially as a result of my own sinfulness and sinful past, but Jesus
suffered the most excruciating pains being the epitome and essence of
Innocence! We can all choose one element
or detail of the Passion of Christ that seems to have struck us most and elicit
this scene when my patience is put to the bitter test! The love of Jesus can move me to carry
patiently the most burdensome crosses! As St. Paul states: “The love of Christ compels us.”
5.
MARY--- OUR LADY OF SORROWS. In the film
of Mel Gibson the Passion of the Christ, an essential dimension of
the entire film was the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout the
entire course of the film. Only second
to Jesus was Mary in the intensity of suffering. The film portrays Our Lady of Sorrows along
the way of Calvary accompanying Jesus in His most bitter trial. As Jesus was nailed to the cross and as He
hung on the cross, His Precious Blood dripping to the ground, Our Lady was
present there manifesting the greatest compassion--- suffering with her loved
one! “Stabat Mater” Mary stood at the foot of the cross, patience to a
heroic degree. Mary practiced patience her whole life: travelling to Bethlehem,
fleeing to Egypt, seeking out her lost Son for three long days, losing her
beloved husband Saint Joseph, and accompanying her beloved Son Jesus, seeing
Him crucified, and staying with Him until He drew His last, dying breath: “Father into your hands I commend my
spirit.” When our patience is put
to the test, then we should lift up our eyes, mind, heart and soul to Our Lady,
and she will acquire for us heroic patience.
CONCLUSION. All of us struggle on a daily basis to be
patient with others, with ourselves, with circumstances and at times even with
God. Patience is so essential to our lives that Jesus even said: “By your patience you will save your souls.”
Let us use the arms we have in our arsenal to attain the all-important virtue
of patience. Let us pray as beggars to the most generous giver, God. Let us
draw close to Jesus the “Holy of Holies”. Let us meditate on the Passion of
Christ and when opportunities to practice patience surface, to call to mind all
that Jesus suffered for the world and for me. Finally, may Our Lady of Sorrows
attain for me a meek, humble and patient heart!
