#hopko

This Sunday (October 13, 2013), we will hear the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:5-15). The Gospel concludes with these words: "But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience."

Here are a few words about patience from Fr. Thomas Hopko: 

"Too often people embarking on the spiritual life forget that patience is a virtue, and that, because of man’s freedom, the effort to cleanse one’s life from sin is tiresome and long. Everything is expected at once, with little striving and small effort.

Too often, also, people who wish to be patient forget that the virtue is a grace of God and a fruit of the Spirit. They think that they can attain patience with themselves and with others by will power alone; by rationalizations and human considerations. Such people never find peace for their souls."

Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and late rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble… (James 5:7-9)

"This is a lot to take on, to mull over: a thousand children trapped by a potential lack of imagination. It also occurs to us that we’ve become presumptive, as if we