If you are going to something meaningful in the month of April and have not done it yet, today would be a good day to do it. Can you believe tomorrow is May 1st? A shout out to Tina Hogan – who is the PR director for St. Mary Magdalen. Yesterday was the 2nd annual Tee Off 4 Technology golf tournament at one of my favorite golf venues in St. Louis – Forest Park. Tina did a wonderful job putting this together, along with her volunteers. Once again, Richard and I entered the tournament with every intention to win and once again, we did not. We were close – the winning score posted was -17, if we had only sunk 15 more putts we would have won. Next year baby. Thanks again Tina and all the volunteers.
As we continue to read in our first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas continue to preach the Word to all they encounter. Yesterday’s first reading ended with Paul debating with the Hellenists…
He also spoke and debated with the Hellenists,
but they tried to kill him.
And when the brothers learned of this,
they took him down to Caesarea
and sent him on his way to Tarsus.
The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace.
It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord,
and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers.
While listening to Bishop Barron’s homily (on our way to Church yesterday), I learned from him that when they sent Paul back to Tarsus, he stayed there for 10 years. One might say 10 years is long time to wait; that one might need to be patient while waiting to do the works of the Lord as we all know Paul did. Patience – why that is the next fruit of the Holy Spirit will learn more about today.
What is patience? I’m glad you asked. I’m still trying to learn this, so here is what the Church defines as patience. I was also able to find another site which has a number of hyperlinks to the different catechisms that help define patience.
Patience
bearing wrongs patiently as a work of spiritual mercy, 2447
"Charity is patient," 1825
in the family, 2219
as a fruit of the Spirit, 736, 1832
God's, 2822
prayer and patience of faith, 2613
Do we use this fruit from the Holy Spirit enough in our lives? This is one fruit that can be used literally in anything we do. At home, with our children, with our extended families, with our friends, at work, at Church. Can you think of anything that might not require patience? To conclude, I am attaching the link to Bishop Barron’s homily on the four spiritual lessons on the life of St. Paul…Four Spiritual Lessons from the Life of Paul.
Do something great for our Lord today.
God’s will, not mine, be done.
Be not afraid.
Jesus, I trust in You.
St. Mary Magdalen Men of God 