As I have grown older, I have become more patient. Physical suffering brings about a resignation, as does financial suffering, or being separated from those one loves.
What is also necessary is a resignation towards some things in the Church. Too often, we lay people think we have to fight all the battles. Some battles belong to our area of expertise, and some do not.
Patience is bearing with the imperfection of a situation, or the bearing with the faults of others.
I see many single people not bearing with the faults of others, but wanting to change everything.
Choose your battles wisely. Even St. Paul walked away from conflict.
If you are single and want to change the direction of the Church, you have many options besides writing.
Prayer is the first line of battle.
Second, one could become a monk or a nun and pray more intensely for the Church. In days of chaos in the past, many single people entered monasteries in order to pray more effectively.
Third, if a man, you could become a holy priest, and, perhaps, a holy bishop. We need both desperately.
Fourth, if you are single, you can get married to a holy person, and change your parish by becoming a holy couple, raising children in the virtues. Raise priests and nuns.
Some of the problems with my dear single friends is that they are fighting battles by themselves, in their own spheres, without back-up. Even online, one is isolated.
Strength lies in numbers, even in spiritual warfare.
St. Michael did not cast out Satan by himself. Joshua did not conquer the Holy Land by himself.
David needed an army, and the prophets frequently had their scribes, such as Baruch, or even the schools of prophets.
Being single in the Church is a hard and dangerous journey. One can lose sight of the truth without companions.
Remember, the apostles and disciples went out with a minimum of one companion each.
Think about this. Perhaps some of the impatience has to do with learning to bear with one another, and work together.
And as they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Ghost said to them: Separate me Saul and Barnabas, for the work whereunto I have taken them. Acts 13:2 DR
No comments:
Post a Comment