the joy that comes through patience

"Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near!"-Phil 4:4-5

happy gaudete sunday!

the day started beautifully! the Lord is so good. mass this morning was perfect. a wonderful last mass in the states for a while.  from the prayers, to the music, to the readings, the Lord was giving me his assurance, grace, and blessing as He was sending me forth... 

from Isaiah 35:

Strengthen the hands that are feeble,

make firm the knees that are weak,

say to those whose hearts are frightened:

Be strong, fear not!

Here is your God,

he comes with vindication;

with divine recompense

he comes to save you.

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,

the ears of the deaf be cleared;

then will the lame leap like a stag,

then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return

and enter Zion singing,

crowned with everlasting joy;

they will meet with joy and gladness,

sorrow and mourning will flee.

from James 5

Be patient, brothers and sisters,

until the coming of the Lord.

See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, 

being patient with it

until it receives the early and the late rains.

You too must be patient.

Make your hearts firm,

because the coming of the Lord is at hand.

I thought to myself during that last reading, "Oh, thank God that I finally get to leave and at least don't have to be patient anymore about that part of life!" Patience is truly my greatest weakness!

God was laughing.

due to the blizzards throughout the midwest, my first flight of a string of flights taking me to Vienna has been cancelled. I won't be leaving Wisconsin until 6:30 tomorrow night. 2 more hours turned into 2 more days. 

so, on this wonderful feast day of Our Lady of Guadaloupe, I put my travels in the care of her intercession and take to heart the words she spoke to Juan Diego on December 12, 1531:

"Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little son: 

Let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you. 

Let nothing alter your heart or your countenance. 

Also, do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. 

Am I not here who am your mother? 

Are you not under my shadow and protection? 

Am I not your fountain of life? 

Are you not in the folds of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? 

Is there anything else that you need?"

and so I wait. with patience and joy.