Only With Patience
Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
My dear encountered couples:
Jesus was about to share his powers and authority. We find him, after a night of prayer, selecting those we know as the twelve apostles to help him in his work. They still had a lot to learn before they would be of much help, but Jesus is the patient kind. Whenever he selects anyone to help him, he not only gives them the basic ability they need to do it, he patiently works with them until they master it.
The apostles were the first called to help Jesus establish and spread his Church; we are to help him continue his work. How do we do that? With a lot of patience!
Jesus gave all the instructions we need to live the Christian life which, if we do it, we can help draw others to the faith. He laid out the standards and principles which are to be the basis of our thoughts, words, and actions. But Jesus of all people knows we can’t master them overnight.
Like the apostles he expects us to make many mistakes. He knows our faith is far from perfect, our courage is often found wanting, our habits are not the best, and our resolve to change them is not always consistent. We go from hot to cold to lukewarm in a heartbeat. This can make us impatient with our own progress in holiness. But we must remember:
As the Church of Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither will be our holiness. Jesus picked twelve apostles who still had a lot to learn. He was patient with them; they had to be patient with themselves.
Now it is your turn to be patient with yourself. Never let discouragement get the best of you.
