Lenten Reflection for March 3rd

Before I became a Catholic, I came across a book of Catholic prayers and in it was a simple prayer that has remained with me since I first read it. It’s from Saint Teresa of Avila’s notes in her Breviary. She writes,

‘Let nothing disturb you, 

Let nothing frighten you, 

All things are passing away: 

God never changes. 

Patience endurance obtains all things

Whoever has God lacks nothing; 

God alone suffices.’

There’s an interesting phenomenon that seems to happen when we pray for more patience. If after you pray for an increase in patience it seems like there are more situations you encounter which are testing your patience, it’s likely not your imagination. It might be God sending you gentle exercises to grow in that particular Fruit. 

When we pray for the Holy Spirit’s Gift of Understanding, we can grow in patience as we start to see how the Lord is working throughout our lives. Saint Paul writes to the church in Rome, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) As we grow in our trust of Him we will be able to better work through times of challenge and uncertainty with ‘patient endurance’ as we await answers from the Lord. Remain faithful!

For our younger brothers and sisters in Christ: Waiting for just about anything can be difficult, especially the really good things we wait for. Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Summer holidays. For a new book, movie or game to be released. It’s easy to feel impatient for these times and events to arrive. 

There will be times in life when we are waiting for answers to more serious questions and prayers. It may feel like we’re waiting forever and we may be tempted to just give up. 

Saint Teresa of Avila wrote many prayers, one encouraging prayer she wrote has the line, ‘patient endurance obtains all things’, endurance means to be strong in continuing on as we wait. 

We see also that Saint Paul wrote this in the Bible, “Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes. Pray at all times.” (Romans 12:12 ICB Translation)

When we feel impatient, it can be good to continue to pray and ask God for help in Understanding and to help us to be patient for anything we might be waiting for.

God bless you!