In our modern world of on-demand comforts, patience may seem like an impossible virtue to cultivate. Take the timeless advice of St. Albert the Great to begin your journey of patience.
There are three useful considerations that contribute powerfully to the cultivation of the virtue of patience.
- The first consideration is to recognize that because of our many sins and failings, we rightly deserve the most bitter of punishments and that whatever sufferings we sustain during our mortal life serve to alleviate what is our due.
- The second consideration is to bear in mind how long-lasting and dire were the sufferings born by Christ, who was completely innocent, and that, in comparison, whatever we are called to endure is but light and passing.
- The third consideration is to recognize that God is perfectly just, and so whatever we suffer for the sake of His name, or whatever we suffer through no fault of our own, He shall certainly make generous recompense for. This recompense for suffering shall be the delights, happiness, and joys which await us in the next world. Thus it is that the apostle Paul confidently declares, “Whatever we suffer in the present life is light and momentary, compared to the sublimity of eternal glory prepared for us.”
Signs of True Patience
A proof of true and humble patience is not to take revenge on those who cause our sufferings, even when the opportunity presents itself. This should go even so far as preventing others from acting on our behalf, following the example of David. For he prevented his soldiers from killing Shimei, who hurled stones and curses at him as he passed by, and called him a “man of blood.”
The truly patient person has no thought for revenge and retribution, but even prays for those who injure him. In doing this, he emulates the example of Christ, who prayed for the forgiveness of those who crucified Him, and Saint Stephen, who prayed for mercy for those who stoned him. Such prayers are heard by God with great delight, and He never fails to answer them. Thus it was that the prayers made by David, Christ, and Stephen on behalf of their persecutors were all received and granted by God the Father.
Signs of Impatience
A sign of a lack of the virtue of patience is when a person is quick to abandon whatever good works or acts of piety he could and should do as soon as he finds himself suffering any kind of hardship. To do this is to lose all reward from God, both for the good works themselves and for enduring adversity. And this attitude can very easily conceal itself in subtle ways. But it is in reality the most dangerous form of impatience there is. For by withdrawing itself from works of charity or acts of piety, the impatient soul seeks to avenge itself upon the innocent and merciful God.
Prayer for Patience
Why, O Lord, am I so quick to complain whenever I suffer any injustice or insult, or feel that I have been judged unjustly? If I keep in mind how many times and how seriously I have offended You and sinned against You, then I shall realize that I truly deserve most of these things which I suffer in this mortal life, and even much more.
Let me reflect frequently that it is Your great mercy, O Lord, which permits me to undergo the light and passing trials and adversities of this present life in order to avoid the immeasurably graver and longer-lasting pains of purgatory or hell!
Lord, bestow upon me strength and spirit so that I may bravely tolerate whatever afflictions I encounter; for without Your grace, my own fragile flesh is surely destined to fail. Help me to endure all false judgments, unfounded suspicions, groundless gossip, and unmerited injuries.
May I quietly accept such sufferings without murmuring or interior complaint and resentment but rather find joy and peace in innocence and purity of conscience. Keep me ever mindful of Your love and Your passion, and grant that I may be strengthened in my own patience by consideration of these.
Make me even desire whatever cross You choose for me, knowing that to live and die while bearing my own cross is to live and die in union with You. Amen.
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This article is taken from a chapter in Paradise of the Soul by St. Albert the Great which is available from TAN Books.
