Composed

“By your patience you will gain possession of your souls.” (Luke 21:19). 

Saint Peter is Walking on the Water (Borrassa)

I feel like there is one true sign of faith in a soul and that is the person’s ability to be composed in the face of all sorts of challenges…

I remember reading a story about Pope Saint John Paul II, where the Saint was praying in his little chapel.  One of his secretaries came to him with a problem that was urgent and required immediate attention.  He disturbed the Pontif and asked his for some time to discuss the problem.  The Saint replied, “In a moment.” And continued to pray.

The secretary waited some time but grew more impatient.  Disturbing the Pontiff again he asked for time and again he was asked to wait a moment.

Even more time passed, and the secretary was becoming increasingly frantic.  The matter was – after all – quite urgent.  And the third time he disturbed the Saint he explained, Your Holiness, the matter really is very serious.”

Pope Saint John Paul II replied, very calmly, that the more serious and urgent the matter the more the need for prayer.  He continued in his prayers and responded to the issue when he was finished with them.

And I have been reflecting on that today.  Looking at that story with the passing of time and without the feelings of emotion that would have been present in the room, the Holy Father’s response does not appear to be anything very extraordinary.  However, if I put myself into that situation and consider all the many things that the Holy Father must deal with in his daily life and duties, it is rather extraordinary that he would have the ability to focus on his prayers rather than stopping and prioritising the demands of the job as they were presented to him that day.

Saint Josemaria says that “we have to be strong and patient and, therefore, calm and composed.”

And I have been reflecting on this with the light of the words of Saint Luke in the Gospel, “By your patience you will gain possession of your souls.” (Luke 21:19).  For there is a patience that comes not of the world, but in spite of it.  That is the patience of the Saints.  You see, the Saints understand that they must remain calm.  They must hold firm to their God and know that nothing can disturb their peace because the peace that they feel is not of this world, but of the next.  And when we have great faith, we can understand the truth of that.  We can know that life will go on beautifully and that God has our part ready for us to play out.

And if I can really understand that – deep in my bones – then I can also understand that my life with the Father, is blessed.  Because He will look after all things – so when there is a great problem, it is just an excuse for great prayers!

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.