Advent thoughts by Saint Cyprian, bishop and martyr:
Patience is a precept for salvation given us by our Lord, our teacher: Whoever endures to the end will be saved. If you persevere in my word, you will truly be my disciples.
Faith and hope are the very meaning of our being Christians, but if faith and hope are to bear their fruit, patience is necessary. Now hope which is seen is not hope; how can a man hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it in patience. Patient waiting is necessary if we are to be perfected in what we have begun to be, and if we are to receive from God what we hope for and believe.
Let us not grow weary in doing good, for we shall reap our reward in due season. Paul warns us not to grow weary in good works through impatience .. and allow our past good deeds to count for nothing because what was begun falls short of completion.
Charity, he says, is always patient and kind; is not boastful, is not given to anger, loves all things, endures all things. He shows that charity can be steadfast and persevering because it has learned how to endure all things.
Bear with one another lovingly, striving to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
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