Through Lent with Pope Francis
We encounter problems whenever we think that relationships or people ought to be perfect, or when we put ourselves at the centre and expect things to turn out our way. Then everything makes us impatient, everything makes us react aggressively.
Amoris Laetitia 92
Patience takes root when I recognise that other people also have a right to live in this world, just as they are. It does not matter if they hold me back, if they unsettle my plans, or annoy me by the way they act or think, or if they are not everything I want them to be.
Love always has an aspect of deep compassion that leads to accepting the other person as part of this world, even when he or she acts differently than I would.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 NCB
If in speaking I use human tongues and angelic as well,
but do not have love,
I am nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy
and the ability to understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
and have all the faith necessary to move mountains,
but do not have love,
I am nothing.
If I give away everything to feed the poor
and hand over my body to be burned,
but do not have love,
I achieve nothing.
Love is charitable.
Love is not envious;
it does not have an inflated opinion of itself;
it is not filled with its own importance.
Love is never rude;
it does not seek its own advantage.
It is not prone to anger;
neither does it brood over setbacks.
Love does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices in the truth.
Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
Love never fails.
Thought for Today
In what areas of your life are you being invited to trust in the slow patient work of God?
How does God see those people, places or situations that it is hard for you to have patience with?
Music
Love is Patient written and sung by David Brymer