St. Anthony the Abbot Catholic Church

There is an old Jewish story about God's patience. According to the ancient tale, Abraham was sitting  outside his tent one evening when he saw an old man, weary from age and many travels, coming toward him. Abraham rushed out, greeted him, and then invited him into his tent. There he washed the old man's feet and gave him food and drink. The hungry traveler immediately began eating, just as soon as Abraham put the food in front of him.

 

He didn't pause to say any kind of grace or prayer; he didn't bless the food or anything. So Abraham asked him, "My brother, don't you worship God, the Creator of the world, who has given us the earth and all its bounty of food and drink?" The old traveler paused and looked up at Abraham. Then he looked back down at his plate, started eating again, and replied, "I worship fire only, the sacred flames that rise to heaven. I worship no other god."

 

When Abraham heard this, he was shocked; then he became angry. He knocked away the plate of food, grabbed the old man by the shoulders, and threw him out of his tent into the cold night air. The old man said nothing, took one last look at Abraham as he stood in the opening of the tent, and then began to walk slowly into the desert. Abraham watched him go, then turned and went back inside.

 

Then God called to His friend Abraham and asked where the stranger was. Abraham replied, "Almighty God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, I sent that old man away because he did not worship you." God answered, "My son! I have suffered with him and watched over him these eighty years, although he dishonors me. Could you not endure him for one night?" How gentle God is! How patient! How easily we take His patience for granted!

 

This is how God relates to us, with infinite patience. So we should also be with others, or are we like Abraham, quick to judge and lose our patience? Our mission in life is to be living images of God, reflections of Him in the unique circumstances and relationships of our own lives. When people see us and get to know us, they are supposed to experience God's goodness through us. In that way, God will teach them to believe in Him, to trust Him, to follow Christ, and to save their souls.

 

This is what it means to be a Christian - to be another Christ in the world. We can all use this reminder. We live in a fast-paced world that is focused on results. That's OK. That's good - until we start using that as an excuse to betray our Lord. If God is patiently persistent, we should be too. We should be patient first of all with ourselves. God could make us perfect in the blink of an eye. If He doesn't, it must be for a reason.

 

When we give in to frustration and discouragement in the face of our own weakness, sins, and failings, it shows a lack of trust in His wisdom. We should also be patient with others: family members, colleagues, neighbors. Jesus waters the garden of our soul with a sprinkler, and yet we try to water other people's souls with a fire hose. Jesus lights the candle of our souls with a match, and yet we try to light other people's candles with a flamethrower.

 

Today, let us thank the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit for being patient with us, for not giving up on us, and let us ask Him to teach us to do likewise.