My wife and I met through a Catholic dating site. It was called ‘Catholic Chemistry,’ I like to joke that it is a website for religious and science nerds.
Surprisingly, online dating has similarities with old-fashioned courtship. You have to start your conversation with a simple message. Then, at least for us, you spend most of your time getting to know each other via writing long messages to each other. You get to know someone more simply by words, and that’s how we built our connection.
As the messages became longer, we agreed to have a video date.
Then we started our relationship long-distance. So, there was a period of a few months where we dated without having even met in person. Through each of these steps in our journey, the virtue of patience guided us to appreciate that season of waiting, and it helped me to see how patience can help cultivate hope in our lives.
Patience as a Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is a grace to receive this gift and grow in it, helping to lead our lives to be more focused on Christ and his ultimate plan for us. In so doing, it helps us to endure difficulties and challenges while seeking to conform to the will of God.
Moments of life where we asked to be patient, reorient our will towards a greater purpose. Instead of worrying about wanting something now, we seek time to pause and allow things to happen as they come. St Paul says to,
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
That’s a clear mandate for a good life!
Patience as a Witness of Hope
When I was dating my wife, it was easy to want things to happen faster; for us to be in the same city, to plan our wedding to occur on an earlier date, even simply to have more time to visit each other. At the same time, it was a wonderful season of waiting for us; for in that time, we were able to grow in knowing each other more, sustaining closeness through prayer, and by being hopeful for the joy that was to come.
In life, when things are hard to endure, having patience is a powerful form of evangelization. It can inspire hope, for patience to endure small and big things, and allow for the hope of everlasting life to be at the forefront of our minds. As Pope Francis said,
“This interplay of hope and patience makes us see clearly that the Christian life is a journey calling for moments of greater intensity to encourage and sustain hope as the constant companion that guides our steps towards the goal of our encounter with the Lord Jesus.”
Now, my wife and I have been married for four years. We love to share the joy of hope, teaching Confirmation Class at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish.
Patience is beautiful. Let us seek to cultivate it every day, remaining hopeful for the glory that is to come.
Daniel Quintero is a stand-up comedian currently attending Mary, Mother of the Church Catholic Parish. His favorite motto: “Awkwardness does not exist.”
Pilgrim Center of Hope provides events, experiences, and media; initiating a desire in people to encounter Jesus Christ in their daily journey of life. See what’s happening & let us journey with you! Visit PilgrimCenterOfHope.org.
