This month we dive into the Fruit of Patience which is the third part of our series on the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit. I thought that, since we are at the beginning of our Lenten journey, a time of trial, penance and waiting, it would be helpful to explore and learn how to grow in patience. I think that patience is one of the most important fruits to cultivate. We need it to wait on the Lord, to persevere through difficult family situations, to endure setbacks in life, and in supporting painful sicknesses. We cannot make it without patience. Jesus said, “by your patience, you will save your souls”. That is a powerful statement not to be taken lightly so let us jump into it.
The word patience comes from the Latin word patior, which means to endure or to suffer. One who is patient can bear suffering, inconvenience, absence, sickness, or waiting with courage and without interior complaint. Fr. John Hardon speaking on behalf of the Church, defines the fruit of patience as "A form of the moral virtue of fortitude. It enables one to endure present evils without sadness or resentment in conformity to the will of God. (Pocket Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon, pg. 315) We need to see these evils as being allowed by God Himself for our own sanctification, to desire the cross and afflictions out of love for God and accepting them with spiritual joy.” Jesus commanded that if we are to follow Him, we are to take up our cross. He wants us to mirror His love in daily life, and often, we will encounter situations or people who try our patience and give us the opportunity to be more like Him.
God is patient with sinners. “Romans 2:4 says that God’s patience leads to our repentance. His patience prevents Him from destroying “the objects of his wrath.” (Romans 9:22). Paul glorifies the Lord for His “unlimited patience” that saved him, “the worst of sinners” (1Timothy 1:16) and God had immense patience with the evil people of Noah’s day, delaying judgment as long as possible (Genesis 6). Today, “also bear in mind that our Lord’s patience is our salvation” (2 Peter 3:15).” and His desire is that we have with others the same patience He has with us. Since we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, He will teach us. He calls us to the reflect on the mercy and grace we have experienced through Christ. He calls us to follow his example and endure the faults of others in a gracious manner so that they they realize that they are loved despite their sin.
How do we remain patient in times of trial and suffering, especially if we have some deep-seated emotional reactions to certain triggers with certain people in our lives? In cases like these we really need to lean into God’s grace, prayer, and fasting and to allow the Holy Spirit to work within us. Paradoxically, what we need to develop patience is patience with ourselves, as well as compassion and endurance. When we fail, as in all things, we must renew our commitment and begin again, begging the Lord for His help and grace.
Here are 9 ways to grow in patience, given to us by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
1. BEG FOR GRACE in the areas where you are failing and need most help.
2. LET GO OF YOUR PLANS- We all have our “own plans”, which indeed are important! However, at times God can throw a curve ball, when you are expecting a fastball, and surprise you with other plans. Faith, acceptance and conformity to His holy will!
3. FAMILY AFFAIRS- living in the context of a family gives us many opportunities to practice patience.
4. THE GOLDEN RULE- when someone is trying your patience do unto them as you would have them do to you.
5. BE PATIENT WITH GOD- all will come in His timing.
6. BE PATIENT WITH SELF! - St. Francis de Sales insists on being patient with us and our falls. Anger and bitterness at ourselves when we fall is a hidden form of pride. Why? We really have an inflated perspective our “How holy we really are!”
7. CONTEMPLATE THE WAY OF THE CROSS AND JESUS’ PASSION- without doubt, one of the most efficacious means to foster and enhance the virtue of patience is to have before our eyes a model and that model is Jesus Christ, who called Himself, “The Way, the Truth and the Life.”
8. HOPE! - One of the virtues that is most lacking in modern society is the virtue of HOPE! Hope is related to trust and confidence in an all-loving and Providential God.
9. HEAVEN! - Related to the virtue of “Hope” is the reality of heaven. If we can patiently carry our physical crosses, family crosses, moral and spiritual crosses, emotional crosses— in whatever form or shape they may come in– then we know that at the end of the path, Heaven awaits us!