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In this, our fast living time, the word patience has nearly become a foreign expression. Though we do long for it
but realize, that patience is a God given grace and that we, not able to have it to our disposal whenever we
might need it. Time is money, we say, and this competes against patience in our lives. The Evil one has always
well understood to lead our senses to the earthly things. Though we talk about the kingdom of God and about
the goal of our belief, but our senses wander often towards other goals. As the man of the land has to be patient
until the time of harvest, so should we be patient and leave the (dawning) growing of the seed to the Lord. Of a
truth, it requires a lot of patience with us also, until the fruits became evident. Impatience would only destroy.
The bishop Basilius once comforted Monika, the mother of the then future bishop Augustmus, as she bore
sorrow for her son: “Patience is hope and faith; impatience gives up” God lets the tares grow with the wheat and
reserves the separation. He never refuses us His help and lets the sun shine on the good and on the evil, the just
and on the unjust, to give them opportunity to repent. In repentance one comes closer to God because then He is
taken serious. Apostle Peter, 2 Peter 3: 15 encourages us: “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is
salvation.”
In Revelation 3: 10, contains a promise: ” Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee
from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth” A
teacher once taught “The patient one humbles (bows) himself in reverence under the majesty of the most high
will of God; when heavy burden is imposed upon him (he runs not out of school), he loses not his confidence.
Patience grows out of the belief, Impatience out of a God-remote life. The patient one bears his burden with joy.
Patience proves itself at times that one can wait, whereas everything demands to act, until an explicit instruction
comes from the Holy Spirit.”
Following is an extract quotation from a sermon of the Apostle Sitwell, who was called as the tenth Apostle of
the Catholic-Apostolic Church in England. It has not lost its validity until today.
“No lesson is harder to realize than patience. The Apostle James presents it to us as one of the main
characteristic qualities of the preparedness towards the coming of the Lord. He prophecies how the last times
will be accompanied by oppression and force and adds: Even, when people render to you unjustice, be patient;
because the future of the Lord is near! “But Christianity has forgotten this. People become very irritated and the
devil says: “Down with them who trouble you!” There is hardly one of the Christendom who will say: “Because
of this, be patient!” Let us pray for this grace. Let us strive to obtain patience. This ornament of a quiet and
meek spirit is in God’s eyes highly priced.
Impatience is a prominent sign of the last days. The Apostle Peter means, that mainly a serving condition should
be seized because of this. The first thing one does today, if one’s feeling is hurt is to leave his or her workplace.
This also is a sign of the time. If someone hurts you, don’t answer straight away, neither orally nor by writing,
much more wait until the next day or until next week, if you are still agitated. Even when the people had earned
a reprimanding answer, so wait therewith.
This gift of patience we need in these times also in respect of other things: Patience towards the indolence of
those who don’t want to receive the word of the Lord, towards those, who slander and falsify it to them, they not
only withstand the truth but even spread about heresy. But if we show patience, so is this proof that we are
shepherds and no hirelings.
Let us call daily on the Lord, that He may give us of His Grace.”
Apostle F. Sitwell, 1845