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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent - Patient Endurance

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent - Patient Endurance

Catholic Daily Reflections vor 2 Jahren

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Catholic Daily Reflections

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Short reflections on the Gospel of the day, from My Catholic Life!

Religion & Spiritualität

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One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When
Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long
time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” John 5:5–6

Only those who have been crippled for many years could understand
what this man endured in life. He was crippled and unable to walk
for thirty-eight years. The pool he was laying next to was believed
to have the power of healing. Therefore, many who were sick and
crippled would sit by the pool and try to be the first to enter it
when the waters were stirred up. From time to time, that person was
said to have received healing.

Jesus sees this man and clearly perceives his desire for healing
after so many years. Most likely, his desire for healing was the
dominant desire in his life. Without the ability to walk, he could
not work and provide for himself. He would have had to rely upon
begging and the generosity of others. Thinking about this man, his
sufferings and his ongoing attempts for healing from this pool
should move any heart to compassion. And since Jesus’ heart was one
that was full of compassion, He was moved to offer this man not
only the healing he so deeply desired but so much more.

One virtue in the heart of this man that would have especially
moved Jesus to compassion is the virtue of patient endurance. This
virtue is an ability to have hope in the midst of some ongoing and
lengthy trial. It is also referred to as “longsuffering” or
“longanimity.” Usually, when one faces a difficulty, the immediate
reaction is to look for a way out. As time moves on and that
difficulty is not removed, it’s easy to fall into discouragement
and even despair. Patient endurance is the cure for this
temptation. When one can patiently endure anything and everything
they suffer in life, there is a spiritual strength within them that
benefits them in numerous ways. Other little challenges are more
easily endured. Hope is born within them to a powerful degree. Even
joy comes with this virtue despite the ongoing struggle.

When Jesus saw this virtue alive in this man, He was moved to reach
out and heal him. And the primary reason Jesus healed this man was
not just to help him physically but so that the man would come to
believe in Jesus and follow Him.

Reflect, today, upon this beautiful virtue of patient endurance.
The trials of life should ideally be seen not in a negative way but
as an invitation to patient endurance. Ponder the way you endure
your own trials. Is it with deep and ongoing patience, hope and
joy? Or is it with anger, bitterness and despair. Pray for the gift
of this virtue and seek to imitate this crippled man.

My Lord of all hope, You endured so much in life and persevered
through it all in perfect obedience to the will of the Father. Give
me strength in the midst of the trials of life so that I can grow
strong in the hope and the joy that comes with that strength. May I
turn away from sin and turn to You in complete trust. Jesus, I
trust in You.

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Featured images above: Christ healing the Paralytic at the Pool
of Bethesda by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, via Wikimedia
Commons