ТЕРПЕНИЕ

Since it usually happens that many begin things with zeal and subsequently weaken, the Savior says that - I look at the end. What is the use of those seeds that first bloom and then quickly wither? That is why He demands constant patience from His disciples. And lest anyone say that the Lord himself created everything, and therefore it is not surprising that they were such, since they did not endure severe suffering, then He tells them that you need to endure. Although I will deliver you from the first dangers, I will protect you for the most difficult ones, after which new ones will follow again, so that you will not cease to be subjected to slander even until your last breath. This is exactly what He made clear with the words: “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22) (6). Longsuffering is the root of all wisdom; That’s why the Wise One says: “A patient person has a lot of understanding, but an irritable person shows stupidity” (Proverbs 14:29); and further, comparing this virtue with a strong city, he says that it is stronger than it. This is an indestructible weapon, an unshakable pillar, easily repelling all attacks. Just as a spark falling into the sea does not cause him any harm, but immediately goes out, so everything unexpected, striking a long-suffering soul, soon disappears, but does not outrage it. Longsuffering is the most steadfast; Whether you point to an army, money, horses, walls, weapons, or anything else, nothing can compare with long-suffering. Whoever possesses something like this is often overcome by anger, falls like a weak child, and fills everything with noise and confusion; and the long-suffering one, as if staying in a harbour, enjoys deep tranquility; if you harm him, you will not move this stone; if you offend him, you will not shake this pillar; if you strike him, you will not crush this adamant; That is why he is called long-suffering, because he has, as it were, a long and great soul, and what is long is called great. Meanwhile, this virtue is born from love, and it brings great benefit to those who have acquired it and use it. Do not tell me that lost people, doing evil [to the long-suffering] and not suffering evil for it, become worse; this does not come from his long-suffering, but from those themselves who do not use it as they should. Therefore, do not tell me about them, but remember the more meek people who receive great benefit from this; when, while doing evil, they do not suffer evil for it, then, marveling at the patience of the sufferer, they receive the greatest lesson in wisdom. However, [the apostle] does not stop there, but adds other perfections of love: she, he says, is merciful. Since there are people who use long-suffering not for their own wisdom, but for revenge on those who insult them, tormented within themselves, he says that love does not have this deficiency either; That’s why he adds: he is merciful. Those who love do not act meekly with those who are burning with anger in order to strengthen the flame of anger, but in order to tame it and extinguish it, and not only with courageous patience, but also with pleasing and exhortation, they heal the wound and heal the ulcer of anger. Doesn't envy. It happens that someone is patient, but envious, which is why his virtue loses its perfection. But love is far from this. Not exalted, i.e. does not act recklessly. It makes the lover prudent, sedate and thorough. Recklessness is characteristic of people who love shamefully, but those who love with true love are completely free from this; when there is no anger in the heart, then there can be no recklessness and insolence; love, abiding in the soul, like some skilled farmer, does not allow any of these thorns to grow. Not proud. We see that many are proud of their very virtues, i.e. because they are not envious, not evil, not cowardly, not reckless; these vices are connected not only with wealth and poverty, but also with the kindest qualities by nature, and love completely purifies everything. Note: the long-suffering is not always merciful; if he is not merciful, then his good quality becomes a vice and can turn into maliciousness; but love, delivering medicine, i.e. mercy, keeps virtue pure. Also, the merciful is often frivolous; but love corrects this deficiency too. “Love,” he says, “does not boast, it is not proud” (1 Cor. 13:4). A merciful and long-suffering person is often proud, but love destroys even this vice (12). You might be interested in: