July 25 The Heart of St. Paul
The world in which we live is one where no one has a whole lot of patience. When we want something, we believe we ought to be able to get it. The time to do things is not determined by others, but by us. We make this known if the line is too long or the service is not prompt. Waiting is simply a waste of time. Working according to someone else’s schedule is too limiting for us.
St. Paul reminds us that if we cannot deal with the little inconveniences patiently, what is going to happen when we are faced with the big stuff? He reminds the Philippians about this when he writes: “Do all things without grumbling or questioning that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemishes in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that on the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out like a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” (Phil 2:14-17)
Paul’s message is that we get no where with the Lord if we act selfishly. Instead we need to act selflessly. When we become accustomed to small sacrifices or inconveniences, the large ones do not seem as daunting. When we recognize that we are not the center of the world, then we can put Christ in the center of the world. So, the next time we being to feel impatient in the grocery line or at the bank drive-thu, or even at Church, may we not grumble on the outisde OR the inside, but less us remember that by our patience, we can help to bring the peace of Christ into a very selfish and chaotic world.
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