Be Patient
A School Homily on Patience
This was a homily given on February 19th at Saint Jude School.
Remember the story of The Tortoise and the Hare? The hare challenges the tortoise to a race, runs out ahead, eventually gets complacent, and takes a nap. Meanwhile, the slow tortoise, with patience and steadiness, continues to move towards the finish line. In the end, the tortoise wins the race. The tortoise was patient.
Today’s readings are all about patience.
The first reading was about Noah’s patience. Noah sent a dove out to see if the flood waters had gone away, but it flew back with nothing to prove that land had returned amidst the receding flood waters. Then Noah waited seven days and sent the dove again; this time, the dove had an olive leaf. Then Noah waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, and this time, the dove did not return because it had nested on dry land in the trees. Noah was patient.
In today's Gospel, Jesus healed a blind man. The first time, Jesus placed the mud upon the blind man's eyes. The blind man said he could see, but not with complete clarity. Then Jesus laid his hands on the blind man a second time, and this time, the blind man could see clearly. Jesus and the blind man were patient.
We all need patience. Those in kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, seventh grade, and eighth grade need patience. Also, we adults (teachers, administration, parents, grandparents, parish staff, and priests) need patience. We all need patience on this side of heaven.
Who are a few good examples of being patient that we can learn from? The tortoise, Noah, Jesus, and the blind man are all good examples of being patient.
The tortoise was patient in being steady during the race. Noah patiently sent the dove out to dry land and waited 7 days each time before sending the dove again. Jesus was patient in healing the blind man as he placed his hands on the blind man twice. The blind man was patient in the process of being healed by Jesus.
Be like the tortoise. Be like Noah. Be like Jesus. Be like the blind man in today’s Gospel.
Be patient.
Fr. Luke Daghir
