Patience
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings
LORD, WHAT WILT THOU HAVE ME TO DO? [*]
To love God and the task assigned to us by Him is all our duty, all our happiness. Our task may be that of Martha or that of Mary. Whilst you are sick, your work is certainly that of Mary, "to sit at the feet of our Lord and hear His word," not the more active, showy work of Martha, in which perchance you gladly would busy yourself.
You would wish to be up and about, to work for others, to be able to point to "something attempted, something done," day by day. All this is good, but it is not God's will for you at present: He does not seek for that fruit at your hands. Your time for this will come wi th the return of health and strength; meanwhile, "leaning on the bosom of our Lord," or "sitting at His feet," you can pray and "choose the better part," for it is where God wills you to be, and at that post there is no self-seeking, no possibility of vain-glory.
"Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" This is the question for all, and you have your answer.
By patient endurance of suffering you are serving God. Our Lord blesses such service, and glory is given to God by every breath, by every twinge of pain.
O Lord, teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God.
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[1] Excerpts (adapted) from "A Hundred Readings," by Robert Eaton.
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Compiled and Edited by Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
1937, Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See
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