Contemplating Patience And Measures

“Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.” –Matthew 18:26

As I listened to those words during the opening prayer service of our diocese’s 2016 Catechists Formation Day, it seems I actually heard them – truly – for the first time. In that moment, I connected the dots.

Isn’t that what we actually request say when we ask God for mercy and forgiveness – “Be patient with me Lord, and I will pay you back in full.” Seriously … pay God back in full?! Like we ever could.

Regardless, that concept has stuck. As I approach every day, I ask God to be patient with me. I also ask Him to help me to be patient with others I meet along the way.

Pope Francis invoked another passage from Matthew’s Gospel about a year ago during his address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress – specifically, Matthew 7-2: “…the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.”

Over and over again throughout the Old and New Testament, we find allusions to the need for us to serve as the face of God’s unfathomable mercy in our own lives. We never can comprehend the depth and breadth of the mercy we find in the Holy Trinity; however, we are called to walk a merciful path every day.

Are there people in your life with whom you have “issues?” Be patient, and they will pay you back in full. And remember that the measure with which you measure them will be measured out to you.

Having a tough time not being negative, judgmental or reacting poorly when things happen to you and/or around you? Be patient, and you will be paid back in full. And remember that the measure with which you measure them will be measured out to you.

You get the idea.

We have so many opportunities to live this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy on a daily basis – in actions and situations from the mundane to the magnificent. Doing so requires the two simple things alluded to so far – the patience found in mercy and the mercy that can guide our “measure.”

Although they are simple, don’t misunderstand that I’m suggesting they are easy to practice. More often than not, they are quite the opposite because we must be patient and use the right “measure” in every situation … with every person we encounter.

It’s easy – often almost effortless – to be patient with those we love … to “measure” our actions and reactions with mercy. It is so because love drives and guides us.

That same love must drive and guide us in every situation in order to be patient, and in order to receive the measure we hope for – especially when it comes to eternal salvation.

We hear time and time again that the “Our Father” is the perfect prayer. We all should be praying it daily. I dare say we also should be saying another, even-shorter prayer:

“Be patient with me Lord, and I will pay you back in full. And help me to use the measure I would have you use for me.”