I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Patience is definitely a virtue that a lot of us struggle with - do you find dealing with other people or dealing with things can be hard? Even if you appear to be patient you find your head screaming at someone or something, even if nothing is ever said? If this happens to you then, you will know what I mean.
As children we want our own way, and we want it NOW! No-one else matters, the only thing that's important is that we get that particular toy, this instant. Of course we have to learn that others want their own way, and we begin to negotiate with them. Slowly we learn to think of others.
Our reading today is again from the letter to the Ephesians. Paul is a prisoner in Rome, and the letter exhorts the Christians in Ephesus to work together in humility and gentleness, bearing with one another patiently in love.
These are qualities that all of us must aspire to, especially now. For those of us living in close confined quarters with others this can be especially difficult. You can try silently counting to ten, putting yourself in 'another person's shoes', or taking yourself away from them for a few moments. All of these things help. But ultimately, a quick 'arrow prayer' to God does the trick for me, followed by a 'forgive me, Lord'.
Lord God,
we ask for for the gift of patience at this time,
for the ability to be gentle with our friends and family,
and to appreciate the difficulties that others are suffering.
Help us to think, say, and do everything in love.
Amen.
St Paul says if we have God's Spirit within us we should show evidence of it in our lives. He calls this the "fruit of the Spirit". Patience is one of these fruits, but there are eight more.