"O religious soul, dove beloved of Christ, behold those little pieces of straw which the world tramples under its feet. They are the virtues practiced by the Saviour and thy Spouse, for which He Himself has set thee an example: humility, meekness, poverty, penance, patience, and mortification."
St. Anthony of Padua
For Reflection:
Think of three examples of Jesus' patience as presented to us in Sacred Scripture. Think of three examples of Our Lady. How do the instances of these examples parallel situations I have experienced? Did I exercise patience in these times? I will pray for the grace to do so in the future.
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"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
For Reflection:
To what extent would I be called a "complainer?" How can patience help me overcome this?
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"Patience is so important a virtue because it is impossible in an imperfect world to live without it!"
Ronda Chervin
For Reflection:
How does patience "grease the wheel" of interpersonal relationships? Does my patience with others reflect this need?
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"Patience is the calmer face of courage that proves itself over time."
Donald De Marco
For Reflection:
Have I seen this truth lived out in the life of another? Who? What was the circumstance? What lesson can I apply to my own situation that I have learned from this example?
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"Patience is the queen of the soul. She is seated on the rock of fortitude. She conquers and is never conquered."
Archbishop Ullathorne
For Reflection:
What is the connection between patience and fortitude? Why does patience conquer but is never conquered?
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"The Lord was understanding towards His disciples. He had patience with their defects and their less than perfect ways. He did not give up on them. In the years to come these same men would be the pillars of His Church."
Francis Fernandez
For Reflection:
Who do I most need to be patient with today? How does this quote give me the strength and hope to do so?
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"When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, don't try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time."
St. Francis de Sales
For Reflection:
What difficulty or contradiction do I need to "bend with gentleness and time?" Can I exercise the necessary patience to do it?
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"When you are excited to impatience, think for a moment how much more reason God has to be angry with you, than you can have for anger against any human being; and yet how constant is His patience and forbearance."
St. Elizabeth Anne Seton
For Reflection:
For what could God be most angry with me at this moment? Ask for forgiveness and extend His forgiveness to the one you are currently most impatient with.
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for another saint's suggestion to acquire patience.)
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"Restraining my impatience cost me so much that I was bathed in perspiration."
St. Therese of Lisieux
For Reflection:
How consoling to know that the Little Flower struggled so with patience - at least once! Am I willing to "sweat" to acquire this virtue? St. Therese pray for me!
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for one saint's suggestion on how to increase patience.)
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"Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew."
St. Francis de Sales
For Reflection:
Why is practicing patience with ourselves a good way to learn to be patient with others? How can I begin anew today to set about remedying my own imperfections?
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