"With Christians, a poetical view of things is a duty. We are bid to color all things with hues of faith, to see a divine meaning in every event."
Cardinal John Henry Newman
For Reflection:
Do I "color all things with hues of faith?" Do I see "a divine meaning in every event?" If I were to do so, how would this encourage the virtue of patience in me? What one situation or circumstance am I presently facing that can give me this opportunity?
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"There are many who excuse themselves, saying that if they were in other circumstances they would be much more patient. This is a grave mistake, for it assumes that virtue is a matter of geography, and not of moral effort. It makes little difference where we are; it all depends on what we are thinking about."
Fulton J. Sheen
For Reflection:
What is the connection between my thoughts and my actions? How can my thoughts help me to acquire patience regardless of my exterior circumstances? Where ought my thoughts be fixed if I am to grow in virtue?
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"For a stalk to grow or a flower to open there must be time that cannot be forced; nine months must go by for the birth of a human child; to write a book or compose music often years must be dedicated to patient research. To find the mystery there must be patience, interior purification, silence, waiting.
Pope John Paul II
For Reflection:
According to this quote, how does God use patience as an instrument to work His greatest wonders? How does this help me to appreciate the time between a prayer and its answer? A desire and its manifestation? A vision and its realization?
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"For a stalk to grow or a flower to open there must be time that cannot be forced; nine months must go by for the birth of a human child; to write a book or compose music often years must be dedicated to patient research. To find the mystery there must be patience, interior purification, silence, waiting.
Pope John Paul II
For Reflection:
According to this quote, how does God use patience as an instrument to work His greatest wonders? How does this help me to appreciate the time between a prayer and its answer? A desire and its manifestation? A vision and its realization?
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"God gives us the vision, then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of the vision, and it is in the valley that so many of us faint and give way. Every vision will be made real if we will have patience."
Oswald Chambers
For Reflection:
How have I done in my "valley" experiences? Has patience kept me steadfast or have I given way so that God's desires for me have not been accomplished?
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for another spiritual insight on God's will, timing, and patience.)
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"Hope is patience with the lamp lit."
Tertullian
For Reflection:
In the face of seemingly impossible circumstances, do I patiently endure with hope or do I give in to discouragement and fear? What one spiritual strategy can I employ to keep my "lamp lit?"
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"Without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. The gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase."
St. Rose of Lima
For Reflection:
What is the relationship between afflictions and the height of grace? Do I make use of such opportunities or do I rail against them?
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"It is a noble achievement for a Christian to have no disputes with anyone. But if by any circumstance or temptation, a dispute arises, let him try to remain composed, even if this means losing."
Anonymous
(Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)
For Reflection:
How often am I willing to walk away from a confrontation? Do I remain composed by exercising patience? Am I willing to "lose" in charity rather than press my advantage through pride?
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"Never rebuke while you are still indignant about a fault committed - wait until the next day, or even longer. And then, calmly, and with a purer intention, make your reprimand. You will gain more by a friendly word than by a three hour quarrel."
St. Josemaira Escriva
For Reflection:
Wow! For the grace to do exactly that! May God grant me mercy, patience, and wisdom!
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for another practical insight about patience.)
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"The state of marriage is one that requires more virtue and constancy than any other. It is a perpetual exercise in mortification."
St. Francis de Sales
For Reflection:
To what extent have I discovered this for myself? How can the virtue of patience help me?
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for some saintly advice about these moments.)
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