Patience - November 13

Patience
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings

MODELS OF PATIENCE

Consider how much this virtue of patience is recommended to us by the great example of the Son of God; Who, as He was never free from sufferings in any part of His life, so He both lived and died in the exercise of patience; and by His patience redeemed the world. Then all the saints and martyrs, as they had their share in drinking of His cup of sufferings, so they have all "run with patience to the fight set before them; looking on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, Who having joy set before Him endured the cross," (Heb. xii. 1, 2,) "They all in life possessed their souls in their patience," (Luke xxi. 19.)

They all in death saved their souls by patience. "Patience hath a perfect work," said St. James, "that you may be perfect and entire, failing in nothing." "He that is patient," saith the wise man, (Prov. xiv. 29,) "is governed with much wis­dom." And again, (Prov. xvi. 32,) "the patient man is better than the valiant, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities."

Patience then is the virtue of the martyrs and of all the saints; patience made them martyrs and saints; patience made them truly wise; patience gave them the victory over all their enemies; in their patience they brought forth much fruit; patience made them perfect; patience brought them to that incorruptible crown, which is given to none but those who by patience have lawfully striven for it, and won it. Oh blessed patience! Let me be so happy as to find thee, and embrace thee; let me live and die in thy company.
__________
Compiled and Edited by Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.

1937, Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See