POPE FRANCIS ON THE PATIENCE OF LOVE.

In “Amoris laetitia” nn. 91-92, Pope Francis explains why love is patient which all members of the family should meditate upon. I quote:

“This does not simply have to do with ‘enduring all things’… It refers, then, to the quality of one who does not act on impulse and avoids giving offense.

[It] does not mean letting ourselves be constantly mistreated, tolerating physical aggression or allowing other people to use us. We encounter problems whenever we think that relationships or people ought to be perfect, or when we put ourselves at the centre and expect things to turn out our way. Then everything makes us impatient, everything makes us react aggressively. Unless we cultivate patience, we will always find excuses for responding angrily. We will end up incapable of living together, antisocial, unable to control our impulses, and our families will become battlegrounds. That is why the word of God tells us: ‘Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, with all malice’ (Eph 4:31).”

Patience takes root when I recognize that other people also have a right to live in this world, just as they are. It does not matter if they hold me back, if they unsettle my plans, or annoy me by the way they act or think, or if they are not everything I want them to be. Love always has an aspect of deep compassion that leads to accepting the other person as part of this world, even when he or she acts differently than I would like.”

Let us ask Our Lady and St. Joseph to help all of us have a love which is patient which lead us to ACT NOT ON IMPULSE, AVOID GIVING OFFENSE and ACCEPT THE OTHER PERSON EVEN WHEN HE OR SHE ACTS DIFFERENTLY THAN WE WOULD LIKE.

God bless you and your family, Fr. Rolly A.

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