Kindly allow me to ask a question. Have you given much thought to the virtue of patience? It’s a virtue that comes into play each and every day–perhaps more so in Lent when we might experience trials and tribulations to a greater degree. Our Lord tells us, “By your patience, you will save your souls” (Luke 21:19 ). Wow. Let’s unpack that a little further…

In case you don’t know already, I happen to love Servant of God Archbishop Fulton Sheen. I quote him often (you might have noticed!). You will see him throughout my newest book By Dawn’s Early Light. Well, he wrote, “A person who believes in nothing beyond this world is very impatient because he has only a limited time in which to satisfy his many wants.” Sheen goes on to say that we are not born with patience–that it is something that is achieved. We develop patience over time–some better than others, I might add.

Sheen said, “There are many who excuse themselves, saying that if they were in other circumstances they would be much more patient. This is a grave mistake,” he says, “for it assumes that virtue is a matter of geography, and not of moral effort. It makes little difference where we are,” he points out. Rather, he says,”It all depends on what we are thinking about. What happens to us is not so important, but rather how we react to what happens.”

Certainly, our responses to the person or situation trying our patience are what is important to God. As well, of course, it is critical to our own souls and to anyone who might be observing. It is in those crucial moments of trial, when our patience is tested that we can develop that wonderful virtue of patience. Sheen reminds us, “Judas and Peter both sinned against the Lord, and He called them both devils. But one became a Saint, because he overcame his weakness with the help of God’s grace.”

Sheen pointed out that the winds and cold of winter pounce on the flowers and shrubs and that only the strongest survive. It is the same with us. Sheen explained, “Tribulation tries the soul, and in the strong it develops patience, and patience, in its turn, hope, and hope finally begets love.”

Further, he said, “Patience is a great remedy against becoming panicky. To be able to use reason and good judgement when everyone else goes to pieces, not only saves self but also neighbor…the patient soul can use judgement and counsel when all others are agitated and disturbed. Patience is power…the yoke sits easiest on the neck of the patient ox, and he feels his chain the lightest, who does not drag, but carries it.”

We might ask ourselves a few honest questions. Do we make excuses for our impatience? Do we say it is the other’s fault and not ours? Do we strive for the virtue of patience? We can ask God to grant us the graces we need to be more patient and to save our souls (Luke 21:19)! As well, can we strive to go over and above this Lenten season to grow in the virtues? Virtues are like muscles that must be flexed and used. We pray that our virtues will grow and that we can be a shining light to others along the straight and narrow path that leads to heaven. So many have lost their way and Our Lord is counting on us to be patient and attentive!

Do we want to be a Judas or a St. Peter?