Take time, practice patience, learn to wait

Most of us, in the way we live our lives, seem to be in love with speed. We want “fast food, rapid recoveries, and quick fixes.” We no longer prize patience as a virtue. People always ask, “Why wait?” People ask you how you are or what are you doing or what is new, then they do not bother to wait for an answer! People have trouble waiting for the traffic light to change or for a person to stop and go at the stop sign.

Everything, even getting the morning coffee, must be quick, and yet not instant but instantaneously in delivery. Even in making a decision on an important matter in court or with a lawyer, accountant or banker or in a response to a faith question, we jump to conclusions.

If we dare to pray and ask God and He does not respond immediately to our request, we question His very existence, care or love –all because He made us wait!

Life is a gift of time, given to us by God, and our gift back to God is our best use of time — not trying to rush through it. We may be both surprised and amazed at what we learn when we might be waiting and use that time for thought, reflection or prayer.

Our first reading from the Prophet Isaiah speaks about God placing the key of David’s house on the shoulders of Eliakim. He had placed them on Shebrin,a but power went to his head and he used his position to exploit the poor and the innocent to make himself rich. He needed to be replaced by a person of integrity, patience and care for others, not a person interested in power or prestige.

This reference to the key of the House of David is to point out to us that keys are important as they symbolize power. Even in our own time, people of power hold onto the keys of opening and locking.

In our Gospel, because of his integrity and faith, Peter is promised he would be given the keys to the kingdom of heaven This Gospel story is given to us so that we might see ourselves in the person of St. Peter. Peter’s spirit was willing, but his flesh weak; his words were bold, but deeds not so much. He was often enthusiastic but easily frightened and how unsearchable his ways. Yet God worked wonders through Peter, and He can do the same with each one of us.

The fragility of human life, and yet making His Son human is what God, the Father Himself, has chosen to use to lead others back to Eternal Life. Perhaps we need to stop to think that Jesus was only 33 years old when He died for all of us.

How do we get to know Jesus better? In the same way that we get to know, appreciate and love ourselves and others here on earth. It is spending time with them and listening, loving and patiently waiting and caring for them that truly matters. This is how we get to know anyone in a deeper personal way.

With patience, listening and acting with others there are no shortcuts. Spending time with God, with Jesus is called prayer and not just telling Him our desires but stopping and listening and watching and waiting on Him. All are our free choice!

As we begin a new school year, let’s give ourselves some patient time to be a better listener to God, to our deeper selves and to others and to sit and be a waiter, rather than a speed demon!