Lenten Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Book 1 Chapter 16: On Bearing with the Defects of Others

“Learn how to be patient in enduring the faults of others, remembering that you yourself have many which others have to put up with.”

I am reminded of the words from the old Mac Davis song, “Oh Lord, It’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way.”  What truth is conveyed in such a simple song lyric.  So often we see ourselves as perfect while we get caught up in the faults of others. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3) We must realize that we ourselves have many defects and many times these defects are much more serious than our brothers and sisters.  It is in our impatience that we want others to become perfect.  It is in our own pride, that we think that we already are perfect.  We must overcome both to see with the eyes of Christ. Christ is merciful and forgiving while it is difficult for us. We want others to be punished, while we find excuses for whatever wrongs we have done.  Some people will argue that this is our human nature that causes us to be this way.  I argue that this is our fallen nature.  In our human nature, we would act like God and be merciful and forgive.  Christ tells us, “Therefore, when offering your gift at the altar, if you should remember that you have treated your brother badly, leave your gift there at the altar and immediately go to be reconciled with your brother” (Matthew 5:23).  As we begin to realize our own faults, we should begin to understand the difficulty there is in correcting them.  If you find it difficult to convert your own faults, how can you expect others to change so easily?  This is why we must reconcile ourselves with our brothers and sisters.  It is in recognizing that we are weak, that we find our true strength. It is in our weakness that we will find the need for God in our lives, the true strength of all.  So why didn’t God create everyone perfect?  Thomas a Kempis says, “If everyone was perfect, what would we have to endure for the love of God?”  God wants us to learn to be tolerant and to be patient so he allows us to encounter conflict.  These are virtues that help us grow in humility.  It is in our humility that we shall see the face of God (Matthew 5:5). Adversity is the best test of our virtue.  These are the tests that strengthen our will and build our true human nature.

Father God, why must I face adversity?

Give me the fortitude to be patient and tolerant of the faults of others.

Give me the wisdom to see my own faults and the will to change them.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon